Sunday, September 3, 2017

The Prima

La versión español está después de la versión inglés.

MY COUSIN JESS was in Spain recently with a friend and made a side trip to spend the day with us. What a gift! Jess and I barely knew each other. I think San Geraldo and I saw her twice in her 33 years, both times at parties hosted by The Dowager Duchess — once when Jess was 3 and once when she was 9. She was adorable... Feisty (lively, determined, and courageous) and adorable.

Everyone of my aunts, Jess's great-aunts, described her over the years as "kind, brilliant, loving, generous, beautiful, wonderful..." I found it hard to believe anyone could have grown into such an angel but we finally met again last year at my mother's funeral and San Geraldo and I immediately agreed with the consensus.

Jess teaches at a university but primarily works in public service for an organization that "fosters sustainable communities," successfully improving the quality of life for people all over the United States. And, it really is true, she's "kind, brilliant, loving, generous, beautiful, wonderful..." and still feisty. How lucky we all are that there are people like Jess in the world.

MI PRIMA JESS estaba aquí en España recientemente con una amiga y Jess pasaba un día con nosotros. ¡Qué regalo! Jess y yo apenas nos conocíamos. Creo que San Geraldo y yo la vimos dos veces en sus 33 años, ambas veces en fiestas en la casa de Mi Madre La Duquesa Viuda — una vez cuando Jess tenía 3 años y una vez cuando ella tenía 9. Ella era adorable... "Feisty" (animada, decidida, y valiente) y adorable.

Cada una de mis tías, tías abuelas de Jess, la describió durante los años como "amable, brillante, cariñosa, generosa, hermosa, maravillosa..." No podía creer que alguien pudiera haberse crecido en un ángel pero, finalmente nos reunimos el año pasado en el funeral de mi madre, y San Geraldo y yo inmediatamente concordamos con el consenso.

Jess es una profesora en una universidad, pero principalmente trabaja en el servicio público para una organización que "fomenta las comunidades sostenibles", mejorando con éxito la calidad de la vida de muchas personas en todos los Estados Unidos. Y, es verdad, ella es "amable, brillante, cariñosa, generosa, hermosa, maravillosa...," y ella sigue siendo "feisty". Todos somos muy afortunados de que hay gente como Jess en el mundo.



22 comments:

  1. bless her; someone who is trying to make a difference!

    and who is that suntanned man in the striped tank top (as if I couldn't guess)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. anne marie:
      And she's from Philly!!! (I don't know where the hell the guy in the tank top is from. He just keeps showing up in my pictures.)

      Delete
    2. I saw the guy in the tank top in a cartoon- he was eating spinach and dating Olive Oyl.

      Delete
    3. Mystery Cousin:
      First time in my life I've been compared to Popeye (if I were to admit I'm the guy in the tank top). Am I supposed to say "thank you"?

      Delete
    4. My memory failed me - it's the other guy that wears the striped shirt: https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Popeye-Bluto-Action-Figure/dp/B0002Y0R3O

      Popeye, of course, wears a sailor suit.

      Delete
    5. Mystery Cousin:
      Now I understand. I get mistaken for Bluto/Brutus all the time.

      Delete
  2. Funny how distant cousins can get. I recently met a 2nd cousin once removed (bascially my father's 2nd cousin) because of dna website said we were related. He knew my dad many moons ago but lost contact with my side of the family since the 70s

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    Replies
    1. Adam:
      I have been so lucky to connect with some of my cousin's children as adults. Jerry and I are waiting for a bunch of DNA results, but the idea of meeting really distant relations does make me a little nervous.

      Delete
  3. Wonderful that she could come for a visit. The smiles tell the story.

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    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      So kind of her to take time out of her vacation just to spend the day with us. I wonder if we could convince to move here...

      Delete
  4. It's all meant to be ~ karma ~ not knowing her well until now means ~ it's well overdue.
    What a beauty!
    Someone is wearing your clothes again.........sheesh!!
    Ron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron:
      I feel so fortunate (but not that someone is wearing my clothes again). Another cousin (see earlier comment from "Mystery Cousin"; he's one of mine) thinks the guy might be Popeye.

      Delete
  5. What a bonus for you guys! She looks like a sweetheart indeed!
    Cousins are great to have.

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      Sometimes extended family can be a really wonderful thing. I've had two recent examples from the same generation. They really do give me hope.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Travel:
      That is really kind of you to say but, when I grow up, I want to be just like Jess.

      Delete
  7. Great pictures of two good-looking people.

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  8. I am always glad to see cousins keeping in touch.

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    Replies
    1. Spo:
      This hasn't been of the greatest importance to me, but then I've in essence just really met (as adults) two cousins recently and am now so grateful.

      Delete

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