Rather than refer to Puerto Rico as The Island of Enchantment, it really should be called, The Island of The Kiss. Isla Del Beso. I grew up kissing, so it should not have come as a surprise during my recent visit, when I got kissed a total of 555 times (approximately).
My mom and her husband kissed me. So did my aunts, cousins, neighbors, the cleaning woman, the hairdresser, the manicurist, a chef, a wedding groom I barely knew, strangers and even a dog. Multiple times. Every time I saw them. Again and again. Muchos Besos.
I had somehow forgotten how much one gets kissed in Puerto Rico. It is a lovely tradition in spite of the germs it spreads. You feel instantly connected to the person and affectionately greeted. I am back from my two and a half week visit, so if you see me and I kiss you, please do not take it the wrong way. MMMUUUUUA!
As I mentioned in my previous post, Mi Casa Es Su Casa, I went to visit my mother in Puerto Rico, fleeing the record cold February from Hell of 2015 (Welcome March, I think I love you!) Not only did my aching arthritic joints thank me profusely and my taste buds kissed me passionately for giving them such savory and sweet delights to taste, but my heart burst with immense love and gratitude from the abundance of kindness my mother showered me with, the entire time.
Mucha comida above
She made sure every single minute of my stay was comfortable, loving and fun. I awoke every morning to a table set with linens and a healthy delicious breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice. The questions during our breakfasts consisted of what activity I wanted to do that day, what Puerto Rican food I wanted to eat and did I want white wine, red wine or both.
She hosted a family dinner where I got to see relatives that live in Puerto Rico that I don’t get to visit with often. She made sure to serve my favorite rice and bean dish with steak and sweet plantain. This is when at least half of those 555 besos took place.
As the days passed, my mother and her wonderful husband included me in all of their activities with their friends, to introduce me to those I had not yet met and to visit with the friends I knew. We went out to lunch and dinner for several days in a row. And got mas besos.
I was dropped off at the beach resort anytime I wanted and picked up when I was ready to go home, always with a smile, kindness, love and wine.
My mother insisted on buying me an extra pair of the special shoes I wear that fit my arthritic non-matching feet, just because. She also arranged for her hair dresser to cut my hair and give me a Keratin treatment ( sans the formaldehyde) to tame my curls (jumping up and down with glee with my new softer hair.) Do you see what I mean about her spoiling me?
Her love for her children has always been this strong (I have 3 siblings) and has never wavered. What has changed, is the quality of life she is able to have now at the age of 78 with her husband of four years who adores her and is able to provide a financially secure future for them both. My father passed away 17 years ago at the age of 62 and my mother had the struggles many widows have when they find themselves alone. Her joy comes from her wish and ability to provide the special extras to her children and by spoiling them rotten. And muchos besos.
After my diagnosis of ITP in 1989, when I became gravely ill and had my spleen removed and the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1992, my mother became my number one caretaker (well, neck and neck with my husband.) She worries about me and hates to see me in pain. That she can spoil me and make me feel better if just for a short time, is priceless.
Although I won’t see my mother again until November when she visits for Thanksgiving, I have a high reserve of love from her that will carry me through until then.
Besame Mucho!
Viva los besitos!
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I missed your posts, but I’m so glad you got to recharge and relax and spend precious time with family.
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Hello, my dear! Hope all is well with you. Must go visit your blog to check out what you’ve been up to. I am feeling hopeful that Spring will eventually show up. 🙂
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Oye chica! Glad you got your platanos on girl! So glad you had a good time and that your bones and body were loving the warm weather and awesome beaches. So glad to hear that your mom filled up your reserve. It’s nice when you have a good relationship with your parents. I can totally picture all the love you guys got and that food! Oyeme. Making me hungry for something savory. Glad to know you’re back and glad you got muchos besos for all that mucho, mucho amor.
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This post has everything: Andrea Bocelli, delicious-looking food, frosty beverages, and kissing. Will your mom adopt me?
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Ha,ha,ha! Yes, my mother will adopt any friend of mine, Hippie! Mi madre es tu madre. LOL. 🙂
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What a wonderful tribute to someone I’m sure is a wonderful woman. Welcome back to cold and snow (you FOOL!)
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Fool, is right! What the what am I doing back? Estupida is more like it. 🙂
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Your mum sounds amazing. *hugs*
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Si Caterina, she is amazing! Muy increible! 🙂 🙂
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No wonder you’re awesome. Your mom is! You have a wonderful family. It sounds like you had a great time. I’m so glad you did.
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Thank you so much, Linda. I am living off of the memories and besos. 🙂 Thank God it’s March and things can only get better from here. 🙂
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Beautiful, just beautiful! Oh Maria, your mother is amazing. As I read your words about her wanting to spoil her kids and being able to do so financially, I cried out, “Yes, I want to do the same for my kids!” It is life’s greatest pleasure. My mum is the same with us and reading your post reminds me of how blessed I am to have her in my life as you are to have yours. I am so happy she found happines with her husband after she lost your dad. My mother has just celebrated her 79th birthday and is full of energy and verve and vigour, but she has been on her own for many years. She would love a ‘companion’ but the man I wrote about a while ago, who was like a dad to me, John, was the man I think who would have been the one for her. But she didn’t want to marry him!!!! Still…’tis life. So happy you had such a blessed and happy time…and now all those kisses can carry you through March and through to November when you will be smothered in another 555 😀 ❤ xoxo
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Well save me some room on the couch because I am coming with you the next time you go…
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Get practicing your Espanol, Arturo. Mama Brickhouse would appreciate that greatly. 🙂
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Vamanos a la playa, por favor
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Si, vamos todos los dias. 🙂
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how many days?
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365 dias
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ano… wait… where is my nya thing???
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You better find it because otherwise…it’s TMI. 🙂
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ha
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You are so lucky to have such a loving mom! I’m glad you had such an amazing trip! 🙂
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Thank you, Kat. I sure am fortunate! I hope I can pass some of that motherly love to my kids. 🙂
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It sounds like you have a great role model so I’m sure you’re doing a great job! 🙂
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I hope so. 🙂
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Besame Mucho, Mrs. B! Mmmmmwwwwwwwuuuaaaaa! You and your mom are two beautiful women in the last photo, Maria. 😉 Puerto Rico has been very, very good to you, my friend. Your mother and her loving ways was just what you needed this winter. Now back to reality. No wonder you can say it’s March 1 with a smile on your face.
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Thank you for your lovely compliment. I shall pass this compliment over to Mrs. B’s mother (Mami). Daylight saving is this Sunday – YIPEE!!!!! That will help tremendously. 🙂
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Daylight saving will help on the dinner end but hurt on the breakfast side for a while, Mrs. B. I’ll stop whining now. 😉
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This is why I love going to Montreal and anywhere in Europe – the hello kisses. Love them!
Your post warmed my stressed out heart, Chica. I’m so, so, so happy for you and this magical time you got to spend with your mom. I’m sure it was equal parts physically and psychologically healing!
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I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to have her in my life, besos and all. Being with her is better than any medication I can ever take. Plus, she gives me lot’s of food and drinks! 🙂 🙂 xo
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You earned every kiss, every bite and every drink.
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Ha! Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
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Instead of making me feel sad that I shall not experience such a mothers love I shall instead choose to be encouraged to become that love for my own…thank you Maria, God bless you both.
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REDdog, what a way to turn it around and see the beauty in becoming that parent. You just gave me chills. You are a good dog! 🙂 🙂
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That was really nice….it made me vaklempt. So glad you got pampered and came back feeling SO loved…we never stop being our parent’s kids.
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Mama!!! Am I blessed or what? Ita is one in a million. We are both lucky to have such loving parents. Missing you, must see you ASAP. xo
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Awww your mom sounds amazing. So glad your joints are giving you a break.
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Gracias, Shelley. I am glad you have been spending time in Mexico where things are warmer and happen slower. The way it should be. 🙂
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Nothing beats going home
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Especially when it is 85 degrees there. 🙂
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Your mother is numero uno in my book, Maria! A mother’s love is never ending. Your mother sounds so much like mine. Beautiful tribute to your beautiful mother! xo
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So glad to hear that you experience this unbelievable love from your mama as well. It’s incredible, isn’t it? So selfless and giving. I hope I can carry that on to my kids in the years to come! xoxo
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Sounds like a great way to fuel up on mother love. Nice post.
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Thank you kindly, John! Based on what you’ve told me, there is a lot of love being spread in your household as well. 🙂 How can I not feel blessed with the family I have? Glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
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What a beautiful post! Inside and out. So glad that your trip filled your heart with gladness.
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Yes, Nancy. Do you now understand why it is so difficult for me to leave that love fest – and fabulous weather? I refuse to get down about being back and am riding on the greatness of my visit. 🙂
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Your mom is one of my heroines. I love the way you write about her and describe her when I see you. So glad you had a relaxing visit with her.
And I love cultures that kiss hello.
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Thanks, Andra. Those Aries women are something else! Kind, beautiful, giving and intelligent. I am looking forward to spending time with you soon! 🙂
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