Nataly, It's Your Birthday!

How sweet is this?

A young lady gets back

from a three month trip to Miami

and returns to her hometown

just in time

for her birthday!

Today is your birthday!

And my heart is happy

that you are celebrating it

with your Mom & Dad

and those who love you.

Family.

I remember the 1st day I saw you.

Our family was waiting 

at the Miami International Airport

anticipating your face 

to walk through the gateway 

from where you landed.

I wondered things inside.

"What will she be like"?

"Will she like living with our family"?

"Will she like me"?

And then, there you were.

And I told Terry excitedly "she's here."

And we hugged.

We felt a little shy.

We were bringing you home.

And that was so new for us

for this extended kind of time.

We got to meet your friend

of many years who traveled with you.

When I found out your boyfriend

was coming to Miami,

I knew we'd be seeing 

a lot of him too.

We got your luggage and you

in the car and made our way home.

And the rest is history. :)

But what a rich history!

I remember the 1st time

you and Juan David made us

Colombian rice.

I heard you both in the kitchen.

Chopping the carrots, onion,

celery and garlic.

Using the blender for fresh tomato.

You having to use my mis-shapen pot

with a lid that didn't fit well.

And the waiting and waiting 

for the rice to soften.

We ate late when making new foods.

Katie would come peek

into the kitchen from time to time.

Teenagers get so hungry.

But how we enjoyed the beautiful

food you brought out to us that night.

Rounded heap of delicious rice 

on a piece of lettuce 

with a side of sliced avocado

and fresh cooked sweet plantain.

It was so yummy

we all ate it so fast.

We soon realized that food 

was simply an excuse for you

to pour on the hot sauce!

And you told us about a sauce

you enjoyed in Guatemala 

called "Marie Sharp's" -

a product of Belize.

And we searched the internet

to see if anyone in the U.S.

carried that brand.

You were the one who found some

at our local Winn-Dixie 

and brought some home.

After a good shake of this on my food,

I agreed that it gave a nice delayed,

Habanero burn.

And you laughed at us gringo's.

We had to buy several bottles 

over the time we spent together

it was so good!

We visited a Colombian store 

and you told us about hot chocolate

and what we needed to buy

to make your traditional breakfast drink.

And you made some for us.

It was quite a yummy frothy treat!

And you taught us it is eaten

with a side of wheat Colombian toast

and a slather of cream cheese.

Nate liked it so much,

the next day, he ate the whole package

as a snack.

We made empanadas,

or at least we tried!

They were so much work

but we found out, they were better

baked than fried.

You made us Guatemalan Papusas

for dinner just last week.

We even made the special slaw,

the salsa on the side,

black beans 

and of course, lots of yummy

hot sauce.

The picture below is of the one

we enjoyed at the Antigua restaurant.

I made you my family favorite dessert.

Vanilla ice cream with sliced bananas,

nuts and chocolate syrup drizzled on top.

We enjoyed this dessert several times.

I made you homemade chocolate pudding that was so yummy

with sliced bananas on top -

a recipe given to me 

by my friend Maria.

And, we enjoyed making 

authentic Colombian food

for our friend Audrey 

and for our Wednesday night

Community group.

We went on several occasions

to the beach on Key Biscayne.

It was great to have friends 

who loved going to the beach.

We went as often as we could.

The morning drives to drop off

the kids at school

and then over to drop you off

at the hospital.

So many good dialogues 

about studies in this and that.

Conversations rich with facts

and some theories thrown in.

Medical breakthroughs

in enzyme treatments,

genetic predispositions,

harmonal balance and imbalances

and how these affect men and women.

Blood types differ in cultures,

sharing lots of studies you'd read.

Katie was so enthralled

by conversation rich,

that she wanted to come with us.

It was quite a treat to hear

all about things you've learned

over the years.

We learned to laugh more.

We watched lots and lots of movies.

Early on we watched the Lego Movie

and enjoyed the song,

"Everything is awesome,

everything is cool when you're 

part of a team.

Breath deeply,

drink big expensive coffee,

say, 'good morning world.'"

We left the house many mornings 

singing that song.

I learned to share my kitchen

with another cook 

and how not to freak out

in such a small space.

(But sometimes I did get claustrophobic) 

It was quite a hoot 

when three of us were in there cooking!

It was like playing twister.

But you didn't seem to mind.

I always wondered how 

you could do small spaces so calmly.

You listened to my anxious heart

on more than one occasion. 

And helped me to know

that it was OK to not do something 

if I didn't want to.

I loved how relaxed you were

about life.  You didn't stress out often.

Well, only if a presentation was due.

You enjoyed life.

I liked that about you.

You took time to be with me

and our family.

And we loved that about you.

You laughed a lot!

I loved how you always asked

about my day

and it was great to hear about yours.

It's fun to listen 

and gain a doctors worldview.

I enjoyed our Friday night 

food and movie fests,

Juan David coming over 

and just hanging out 

until it was really late.

Then we'd go out in the night

into the city and drop off our guest.

You get used to fun times like that!

And the trips to Aldi!

It was quite an experience.

I'd buy enough for several weeks

and we finally got smart 

and got two carts

and haul it all in together.

There were things I did 

because you were here

that I would not have done otherwise.

And that's the joy of having you here.

I enjoyed so much showing you

around Miami

and running here and there

to enjoy life.

There is probably so much more to tell.

Happy birthday young lady!

Twenty Four is a great age to be!

May this year bring you

so much love and laughter

and wonderful surprises

as you grow closer to your Savior

and grow as a person.

Doctor Nataly you will officially be

very soon!

We love you!!