MAGDALENA

It was in that time in the culture of Mexico that young girls were obedient to their fathers.  That was taught in the home so that she would learn to later be obedient to her husband.  Even today in many places a young man must seek the permission of his girlfriend's father to ask her to marry him.  At times, if the father refuses, there is no marriage.  

Times are changing but in some of the small villages the clock has not turned and pages have not fallen from the calendar.  Life and customs continue from centuries before and society is faithful to them as if they were commandments or law.

But then there was Magdalena.  She finished high school with a 100 average, the same as she had when she completed primary school.  She entered university but soon after learned that there was an opening to work in the Hacienda, the equivalent of the IRS in the United States.  At the age of 16, she was given the job.  By the age of 23, she was in charge of five norhtern states and answered only to the Secretary of the Treasury.  No one was paid without her approval, not teachers, soldiers, doctors and nurses, retirees, not one federal employee.

At the age of 36, she told her father that she wanted to go to England to study.  Oxford had accepted her and it was an old dream.  She had worked enough years and had saved enough money that she could have a continued leave of absence that would not endanger her job.  

Her father said, "No."

In that moment something new happened.  The ancient mold of tradition was suddenly broken.  "I'm sorry, father.  I respect you with all my heart, but I am going."

Magdalena left and studied at Oxford and later in Switzerland, France and Germany.  She became tri-lingual and in Germany she met a man with whom she could share her life.  On vacations, she returned to Mexico with her husband but was met coldly by her father.  No words passed between them.  She shared the tales of her life with your younger sisters and brother and then went back to Europe where her heart was really at home.

Her husband developed a rare bone disease and died after four years of their marriage.  Rather than go home, she stayed in Mexico City.  By now she had finally lost her job but it was of little importance to her.  She worked as a teacher of pre-school children and became a registered accountant.  Working two jobs, she enjoyed ten years in the Capitol of Mexico and finally came here to the village where I live.

It did not take long for the people here to put us together.  After all, she had been to Europe and so had I.  She spoke Germany and so did I.  She spoke English and so did I.  She was a widow and I was a widower.  It seemed natural to them.

And so here we are, Magdalena and me with our two Schnauzers, Oliver and Olivia.  If there could be a happier life, I cannot imagine it.  On winter nights we sit before the fireplace and drink Baileys and find multitudes of reasons to laugh.  On summer nights we are on the patio watching sun divorce the earth and the moon take reign of the heavens.  It is all that one could envision in those illusions of peace and happiness.  And imagine that!  It's ours!