Spent the early part of the day with my mom to celebrate Mother’s Day together – something we’ve only been able to do since she moved to Santa Fe a few years ago. Before that, we mostly had to settle for a card and a phone call (okay, sometimes I’d send a small gift). I recall writing on so many of those cards “Wish we could spend the day together.” And, now we can!
This morning we went to Mom’s church, the Christ Church Santa Fe, which is in a beautiful contemporary building, has two great pastors (both very different!), and a congregation that has been especially warm and supportive to Mom (and who’ve said many, many prayers for me). She’s really found a wonderful community to be a part of, and for that I’m truly grateful.
Dadou - the French accordion player at Café Paris
After the service, we went down to the Plaza area for a late breakfast/lunch at Café Paris. It’s located on a little pedestrian street called Burro Alley (where, in the old days, locals sold their firewood off the backs of burros). It has the most charming French country atmosphere. Sitting outside under the market umbrellas, looking at the old windows with their Provence curtains blowing in the breeze, listening to the distinctly French music of the accordion player – you really feel you could be in some little out-of-the-way village in France.
I was delighted to find that their menu had several items on it that Mom would be willing to try. That’s usually not the case when we go out for a meal. She’s possibly the most picky eater I’ve ever known (which does make one wonder how I became so willing to eat just about anything!). So, I’ve made a mental note to take her back there again when I run out of other ideas for restaurants she’ll eat at! (In this town known for its phenomenal southwestern style food, Mom absolutely won’t eat what she calls “Mexican”).
So, she had her Strawberry Pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice, and I had my Eggs Benedict with homemade Hollandaise sauce and a Café Latte served the proper French way – in a big wide cup! We so enjoyed the warm day, the colorful and diverse crowd, and the music provided by the accordion player, Dadou. The owner of Café Paris, a full-figured dark-haired beauty with a thick French accent and a frangipani blossom tucked behind one ear, occasionally stopped to sing with Dadou, adding a tambourine to the mix when she wasn’t scurrying around delivering dishes to customers. It was just wonderful!
Mom at Café Paris on Mother's Day
Afterward, we walked in the direction of the Plaza but got sidetracked by a dress shop called Maya. I tried on every hat they had that didn’t have an enormous brim (and I mean enormous!), but none were quite right for me. I’ve been losing big clumps of hair as a side effect of the chemo and my hair’s so thin now my scalp is mostly visible, so I wear hats as often as I can – but, of course, once must have the right hat for each outfit!! None of this just-shove-any-old-hat-on sort of thing for me!
So, as you can see, we had a nice outing for Mother’s Day. I’m very thankful to be alive and well enough to spend it with Mom.
And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who’ve been there to nurture me over the years! Merci beaucoup!
A Different Wholeness 