I’ve previously mentioned my writers’ critique buddies,
Marilyn (Chica) Zapata and Dawn Storey, on this blog (Post: It’s the Little
Things That Count). Both of these women have added an immeasurable amount of
joy to my life over the past six years.
But now, it’s time for Chica to realize her lifelong dream
of building a home in San Miguel de Allende (an artists’ community in central
Mexico). She and her husband, Art, have spent the last 40 years traveling
around the world, visiting more than 50 countries.
Chica personifies the word “eclectic”, as a talented artist
in a wide range of mediums (Check out her blog to see some of her work: http://www.marilynzapata.blogspot.com/.),
and a collector of, well, ALL THINGS!!! So when she told us she was having the
“Mother of All Garage Sales” in preparation for her move, Dawn and I took her
seriously and circled the date on our calendars. We knew Chica’s stash would
prove to be GOLD!
She is an avid “garage-saler” herself, partly for the
purpose of stockpiling trinkets to give to the underprivileged school children
she visited on most of her foreign travels. She invited me to ride along on her
last garage sale outing in the area when she learned that I planned to write a
blog about my cancer journey and wanted to find an unusual item to photograph
for a post. “Maybe a stuffed alligator,” I mused. Unfortunately, the Garage
Sale Gods were not shining down upon us that day—the pickings were slim.
But, I knew I could
count on Chica’s cache to live up to my expectations. Even though Dawn and I
arrived late in the day to attend the MOA Garage Sale at the Zapata’s house,
the loot did not disappoint. And, low and behold, she had tucked away a special
surprise just for me—A STUFFED ALLIGATOR!!! Thank you, Chica!!
 |
| Left to Right: Marilyn (Chica) Zapata, Me, and Dawn Storey |
(I think???)
This woman is a joy-filled treasure that Dawn and I will
never forget. Fortunately, she plans to live in the area while building her
home in Mexico, so we won’t be losing her anytime in the near future. We love
you, Chica!!
Treasure your friends!!
They
are among your most valuable possessions!
