MIRACLE AT THE PIER

To Jan Mara


I have always celebrated the humanity in people. I get a kick out of acts of benevolence that, to me, should come naturally. In spite of all the history of bad things that as human beings we should be ashamed of, sometimes you come across moments in your life when you want to celebrate the goodness in us.
An it is one of those occasions where I found myself when sharing libations with my friends at some table in some place..... This story is not mine, it belongs to my friend but I would like to share it with you anyway.

It must have been very late at night when I found myself cleaning the last scraps of food and organizing all the containers and equipment we used that evening to cater that party at the Timothy Finny, one of the ships I used to work by then.
I remember the cool air playing with my curls and that fresh air that hit my skin so gently. While I was taking a breath I stared down to the pier, that looked very quiet and somber at those early hours, and saw a figure standing. I figured out was a woman, by the clothing she was wearing, and struck me as odd somebody would be at that time just standing there; specially a woman.
I came down to see if she was okay and when I came close I saw her. A middle age woman with clean clothes and a very sad semblance.
"Hi, my name is Jan" I said extending my hand "What is your name?" I asked.
She looked at me and replied "Thank you, thank you very much!"
I was perplexed by her answer; and then she said:
"Nobody have ever asked for my name before, you are the first one to do it. Thank you. My name is Maria".
"Nice to meet you Maria" I replied. "I was wondering if I could help you somehow".
"Well I would appreciate if you can give me some food. I haven't eaten all day".
"Sure, wait for me while I go back up to the boat and get some food". I told her.
So I did and I came back with some bread, and pieces of meat and vegetables wrapped in aluminum paper.
"Listen, whenever you want to get something to eat, please comeback, ask for me if you don't see me and I will get something for you". I said.
"Thanks again. I will". She replied, and left.
For several times she came back until she stopped coming. For some years after that I never saw Maria again. Until one day when I was riding in the street car I saw her coming inside, I waved my hand and started calling her: "Maria, Maria".
She looked at me with a smile and I said: "Do you remember me? Jan from the ship at the pier. Remember?"
"Of course I remember you my dear friend". She said. "Listen, I have to get off next stop, but do me a favor". She said shaking my hand while placing something in it. "Play the lotto tonight and if you win you share it with me". Then she said goodbye.
That was the last time I saw her. I always wonder what happened to her. Would she be still alive? It's been more than twenty years ago since all these happened, and I still remember because I think I was very lucky to have known somebody like Maria.

THE END

TO MERCEDES SOSA

You will always be in my heart
For allowing me to cry
while listening in awe
To your eternal lyrics.

Thank you for your life
So full of meanings.
Thank you for your voice
carved in my memory forever.

Galopa Murrieta now in heaven
We salute you with pride
For being an "elegido" here in earth.
What a worthy life you lived!

We are sad but we are content
Just for walking along you.
Never a life is fully extinguished
When lived the way you did.

We are going to miss you
But your music always be there
To talk to us again
And remind us of why are we here for.