2nd Trip May/June 2006

At the end of May of 2006, Steve's Abuelita took suddenly ill and the three of us joined Steve's mom, Judy, in Buenos Aires. Martha Kotín de Bartha died May 27th holding the hands of her daughter and grandson. What seemed a sad and stressful trip at the time, has settled into a rich memory. I keep thinking of Judy's childhood confidants calling us (in our rented and tiny flat), full of warmth and support…the walk to the hospital for the twice-daily visiting hour…sitting in the waiting area, practicing my Spanish with our family friend Ester…taking Paco to our favorite park (and our favorite bakery for sandwiches de miga and alfajorcitos)…buying a huge bowl of ice cream (me encanta el helado de Argentina) only to have Steve and his friend Marcos say "oh, we don't want any" (then they ate it all)…having dinner with our friends Beatriz and Rolando (and Judy's Spanish becoming faster and more Argentine throughout the evening) …But of all, what I remember most fondly was the morning tradition of Paco (who slept crushed between us on a double bed), waking up with a start, sliding off the bed, marching out to Judy in the front room shouting "Aba, I eat now" and then the hushed, sweet sound of their daily breakfast chat in español.