Celebration!

Tonight I attended a party for one of my students who originally comes from Mexico. It was a marvelous gathering that consisted of my student, his family members, and his employers: the associate archbishop from the diocese of the largest county in the country and a couple church administrators. Someone had paid for a mariachi band to come and play. The singing and trumpets echoed down the neighborhood alley and people danced on the patio. Shrieks and aye-yi-yighs were deafening. Men surrounded the picnic table at the back of the house--they sang so loud that their neck veins stood out and their faces turned red. It was all happy, deafening music in Spanish. Women sang along at various points, swaying and clapping their hands. The dancing was a cross between flamenco and clogging. At one point they told me that they'd like to see me dance out on the patio. I would have liked to see that--it would be memorable to say the least!

My student just beamed when I walked up to the house. He met me with open arms and a kiss on the cheek, walking me inside with his arm through mine. I had forgotten how wonderful the warmth of Mexican hospitality could be. He couldn't get me food fast enough, or introduce me to the guests of honor quickly enough. Wouldn't I please have some of the cilantro chicken? How about salad? Wouldn't it be just the thing if I were to have cake and ice cream next? I had just eaten a large portion of home made tomato sauce with tortellini and salad at home so there wasn't any room left for another meal. But another meal was urged on me. I thought I'd just nibble a bit here and there. Nothing doing. The graduate and his wife hovered over me waiting for me to eat the next mouthful before putting a plate of fruit or piece of cake into my lap. I thought I might blow apart at the seams!

I fear that after an hour of yelling above the singing and dancing, and filling my face, I feel like Humpty-Dumpty. I certainly look like him tonight. It will be a long night since I can't imagine trying to sleep in this condition! But the happiness of my student, who was so thrilled that one of his teachers came to his surprise party, was worth the rotundity (is that a word) that the evening promoted. Now that school is out, I can walk miles and work off this meal. The glow of my student and his friends will not soon fade in my mind, and the happiness I felt as one of the honored guests was precious. Have I mentioned how much I love being a teacher?