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Wayside_Wisdom Heard Along the Way
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Over the River and Through the Woods The holidays have come, gone and become just happy memories. This year, the traditional "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house..." was certainly not an accurate description of our Thanksgiving! It was more like "through security checks at the airport and high above the many miles between Texas and Ohio we went" to our annual feast. About 40 of the Helstern, Gross, Dull and Rosenberger families gathered at the Brethren Retirement Community for over-eating and catching up with each other’s lives. Our Christmas was even less traditional. The only thing that was "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" were the crowds in the airports. Instead of "Silver Bells" it was the hum of the tires on the highway that fed our Christmas spirits. Ours was not a "white Christmas," but a warm and wet one! Our temporary home away from "...Home for Christmas" was a Motel 8 on the south side of San Antonio, Texas. There was no Christmas tree, no colored lights nor "chestnuts roasting by an open fire." But there were five of us gathered from 3 different states, sharing our lives, love and laughter together. What a great time we had! On Christmas Eve day, we drove north from the Rio Grande Valley and Joel, our younger son, flew south from his home in eastern Ohio (Vinton County). The following day, we met Bruce’s sister Joyce and her eight year old daughter Anna arriving from their home in Peoria, Illinois. Then we settled in for our holiday week together in San Antonio. The sights of that fascinating city were a perfect backdrop for our private holiday time, and for playing tourist! We toured San Antonio’s famous "River Walk" (Paseo del Rio) both on foot and by boat, shopped at its Mall, dined on the river bank, and were enchanted by its thousands of twinkling, multi-colored holiday lights. We boosted the economy of the city at La Villita, an artisans’ market in the restored old part of the city above the River Walk, at El Mercado (Market Square) six blocks away, and at the SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers) Outlet Store. We toured the Alamo by day – trying to explain to a young ún why it is such an important and historic place! – and admired its lighting by night. We also included some "kid-friendly" places on our itinerary, which all five of us "kids" enjoyed. The San Antonio Zoo was great and our active neice especially enjoyed helping to feed the birds and fish. She also was fascinated by the monkeys and their antics. The San Antonio Children’s Museum was full of opportunities for a kid to be imaginative and creative. Anna "milked a cow" (which gave only water!), built bubbles bigger than she was, helped her mother raise the "human-powered elevator" from the first floor to the second, and fixed and served imaginary meals in a "Make-believe Restaurant" area on the lower floor. While she was busily engaged in her creative food service play, all four of us adults fell asleep perched uncomfortably on benches in various parts of the museum! The influence of Mexican culture is evident everywhere in the city. We toured San Jose Mission, south of the city, which is the most completely restored of the 6 Spanish missions established in the area during the early 1700's. The buildings are impressive, especially the ornate decoration of the church (which is still an active Roman Catholic congregation) and the working (restored) grist mill. Informative displays and a video illustrated the history and daily life of the priests and Indians they converted to Christianity. Trying to answer Anna’s questions about the sights also was educational: Why is there a wall around the buildings? What is a missionary? Why did they have to grow their own food? Why did the soldiers wear such funny suits (armor)? Why did they kill Jesus? Did he really bleed like that (as pictured on an early Spanish crucifix)? Was he a bad man? Etc. We also enjoyed the tastes of Mexico in several, non-touristy Mexican restaurants. Tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, arroz y frijoles, pollo con mole and other dishes pleased our palates. Spicy habanero peppers did not! Part of a day was spent at the "Institute of Texas Cultures," a unique museum that celebrates the diversity of Texas. Exhibits there highlight more than a hundred different cultural groups who settled the state. The special holiday exhibit this year focused upon the complex problem of illegal immigration of Mexican nationals into U.S. Very informative. The Natural Bridge Caverns northeast of the city was another stop in our holiday travels. It is probably the largest complex of underground caves I’ve ever seen. The walkways were steep at times, and often covered with running water, as we made our way from ground level to 180 feet below. The rock formations and underground lakes were impressive. Each day ended with a hilarious routine. Joel’s Christmas gift to Anna was a game of "Mousetrap," one of his own childhood favorites. So, before bedtime, we all together played at least one game of "Mousetrap." Sometimes the trap worked and the game was short. Just as often, the trap malfunctioned adding length to the game and laughter to the evening! Eventually, we all won at least one game. We’ve all now returned safely home and resumed our normal schedules. We hope your holidays were enjoyable, too - and may you all win peace, joy and hope in God’s game of life, even when it "malfunctions!" 14 January 2007, mshr |