¨AS TIME GOES BY¨, (MEMORIES) OF KARLA.

A LETTER FROM KARLA TO BARACK OBAMA
ON HIS VISIT TO ARGENTINA

(March 24, 2016)

Mr. President:

I am so glad you could come to visit us in my adoptive country, Argentina.

I have been living here for 30 years, coming here because I married an Argentine man who I met in Ecuador in 1975.  We married in 1976 on April 30th, in Buenos Aires, and then went to and lived together in the United States for about 12 years.

I have encouraged you to visit us in Argentina on one of your blogs, and am glad you have come.  I have often thought, ¨why not all of America?  We have so much in common".  For that matter, ¨why not the whole world¨?  What holds back a common society?

I would like to continue writing about these concerns, but for now I leave you with this question and this image of a park where I frequently go to near my house.  People call it Pappo´s Park.  Pappo, or ¨Norberto Napolitano¨, was my husband´s cousin.  The park is four blocks from my house and I have gone there for consolation and a place to think and contemplate all of the times I have been in Buenos Aires.  Pappo was a famous Argentine Rock and Blues guitar player.  His remains are in the park with a monument to him there.  His way of living could be debated, but I know that he believed in humanity, in wellbeing for all, and in peace.

I have never seen a disturbance in the park, Children play ball, people walk their dogs, the parrots gather when there are few people.  Cars pass by busily.  Some people run, walk or work out on the exercise machines.  Once there was a small eagle or ¨aguilucho¨ who frightened the pidgeons, but it was a minor incident.  Another time a brazilian woman was frightened by young people who apparently were trying to give her directions.  Small children play, run and chatter with their parents or grandparents.  Some people bring Mate´ or cookies and sandwiches, or drinks, sometimes a beer or soft drink.  The trees are tall and strong, very green.  Vendors sell cotton candy, ice-cream, and one young lady sells pieces of home-made cake.  Perhaps almost all of the young couples or lovers from this area of the City have spent time in this park.  I love to sit and watch what seems to be ¨nothing¨ pass before my eyes.  Young, teens, babies, the old, animals all together in harmony. Sometimes there is someone to chat with, a neighbor, new friend, or Church companion who is passing by, someone to share the moment with. Mostly, I sit in the park and contemplate and pray about the great questions of life and the universe, and the most tiny ones too!  Sometimes, so lonely, but always feeling filled with the Spirit and accompanied finally by God.  In a way, it is a spiritual Mass for me.

I went there before I got married, after, with Pascual, with friends and relatives, and later, with our children.  At first, I was amazed with the merry-go-round (Calesita), especially since it had the same name as my husband.  Later, my son had the same name, too!  This brought Easter into special meaning for me, a passing, passage, pascua, from the old to the new. East to West!  I have always felt to be a special part of history.  You help us all to feel like we are a special part of history.  There are marks to be made!  I remember you most for this.  And I have great hopes for your wife too, Michelle!  Go for it!!!  You are both young.  I am older now, but happy, still have hope, and even more, faith.

What most catches my thoughts is the sky.  It seems to be open and clear, even on rainy, cloudy days.  It is as if there is an ¨openness¨ to this area of such a busy, bustling City, and yet it shelters everyone who is in the area.  The people waiting to take buses look onto the park area.  They seem to want to take part in the activity.  The cars are many, but careful not to hit people, or animals crossing the street.

Could it be possible to at least make areas like this all over the World, and perhaps little by little fabricate, so to speak, more areas as time goes by???  These are my thoughts for today, having awoken from interesting dreams which I will also later write about!

                                  Have a great trip in Argentina with a blessed Easter, and greetings to your family!!! From:Karla