By Tommy Clarkson from the February 2010 Edition
OH HOW MEXICANS DO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN!
Yes, most parents feel that they care for and about their children . . . but ounce for ounce, few can hold a candle to the intensity of how the majority of Mexican Moms and Dads dote on – and take pride in – their offspring.
A class case in point is the recently completed DIA DEL NINO -“The Day of the Children.” The three colonias of Pedro Nunez, Abelarda L. Rodriguez and La Cruz combined efforts for an afternoon wholly for the children of these communities.
For a visiting Gringo couple, the laughter filled event and familial togetherness harkened of wonderful memories from their small, rural, Midwest community activities of their youth in the late 40’s and early 50’s….before the seeming loss of open eyed innocence wrought by crass commercialism and the popular media.
The totally enjoyable activity was coordinated by some ten area adults for 220 -300 children aged 3-12. Under colorful pink, white and yellow banners, numerous pinatas were the object of ferocious swings, strikes and misses. A trampoline – with a net guard around the sides – was another highpoint of the activities as were numerous drawings for money and gifts of plastic balls and candy.
Jamaica – sweet, dark red punch made from Hibiscus flowers – complemented bowls ladled full of hot and delicious pazole.
WHAT AN AFTERNOON!
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Tommy Clarkson is a bit of a renaissance man. He’s lived and worked in locales as disparate as the 1.2 square mile island of Kwajalein to war-torn Iraq, from aboard he and Patty’s boat berthed out of Sea Bright, NJ to Thailand, Germany, Hawaii and Viet Nam; He’s taught classes and courses on creative writing and mass communications from the elementary grades to graduate level; He’s spoken to a wide array of meetings, conferences and assemblages on topics as varied as Buddhism, strategic marketing and tropical plants; In the latter category he and Patty’s recently book, “The Civilized Jungle” – written for the lay gardener – has been heralded as “the best tropical plant book in the last ten years”; And, according to Trip Advisor, their spectacular tropical creation – Ola Brisa Gardens – is the “Number One Tour destination in Manzanillo”.
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