Oscar Sunday

One of my teammates recommended watching Roma. I didn’t know what the film was about, so he explained it to me. I immediately thought of Carmen.

While watching the film, the plot was so much slower than I was expecting. I kept wondering what the point was. Where is this going?

Now that I’ve watched it, I have thought about it every day. Although the film was based on life in Mexico in 1970, it still speaks to life today. Most of the scenes were similar to what I experienced in Bolivia. 

Carmen, setting the table for breakfast. Carmen, cleaning the floors while everyone was at school or work. Carmen, cleaning up after the dog. Carmen, cooking lunch. Carmen, hanging the laundry.

Carmen, tending to me while I was ill. Carmen, making hot tea in the afternoon. Carmen, smiling and resting her hand on my shoulder while I sat at the table.

Carmen, carrying bags of fresh produce through the market. Carmen, instructing me to stay and wait. Carmen, stopping to chat with the store owners, getting the best prices on eggs.

Carmen, taking us to the ice cream shop for a treat on the way home. Carmen, arranging the roses in a vase by the front door. Carmen, opening the gate to let the car into the driveway in the evening.

Day after day.

Yes, the Casita kids touched my heart and I still carry them in my thoughts. Yes, the people at the church befriended me and let me into their world by sharing meals, time, and good company.

But Carmen changed my life. Watching her, day after day, carrying the family in her heart. She cared deeply about making sure everything was in order, just as Mario and Iris had asked. Strong and steady. Resilient and ready. Dependable beyond measure.

Carmen, bendecida por Dios.