Birthday Boy February 8, 2014
Bruce's Spanish birthday contained many ephemeral gifts, almost as if they'd been planned and arranged just for Bruce William. First was the sunshine. After a run of gray, cloudy days with actual rain on the day before, February 6 broke the spell with that sunny bright blue, blue sky for which Andalucia is known - and for which we had come to southern Spain! From the moment we awoke and looked past the foot of our bed and out of the French doors, which face a massive, moody mountain, the sun stayed with us. It was such a gift and set the day off on a happy start.
view from our bedroom
Our morning rolled out with its usual activities of checking emails and news online. Across the time zones, Bruce delightedly received his first birthday message - from his first son. Eventually we got out into the day for a stroll. Bruce wanted to go to the church plaza, where there is a high mirador (look-out). As we gazed off in the distance, soaking up the warm sun, I noticed that the big door to the church was open. We had been there before, hoping to get a peek inside the church to see the two huge stained glass windows created by our new friend, Rod Friend. Alas, the church had been locked and gated, even on a Sunday afternoon. Today, however, was February 6, Bruce's birthday, and he was about to receive his second gift. This day the door was open, beckoning us inside. Tentatively we entered, fearing that we might disturb a mass or people praying. But the sanctuary was empty. We could wander around to our heart's content. I was still nervous that a priest might appear, looking askance at two tourists invading his holy space. It didn't happen. Instead, we found Rod's beautiful windows, near the front of the church.
Santa Ana church sits up high above the town
One of the windows is dedicated to Santa Ana. I had never really heard of her before our trip to Spain but here she seemed to jump out at me everywhere, causing me to investigate. It turns out that she was Jesus' grandmother, Mary's mother! Wow, the concept of Jesus having a grandmother was new for me. And here she was, the saint for this little church, keeping vigil over Alozaina. I love Rod's depiction of Santa Ana, tenderly laying hands on the shoulders of her daughter, Mary, in a very maternal way, seeming to impart wisdom through her touch.
Rod's other window depicts Santiago (Saint James, in English) who is the patron saint of Spain and the saint for whom the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain is named. St. James' bones are said to be entombed in Santiago, and millions of pilgrims have walked the Camino over the centuries. However, Rod had chosen to put Santiago here in southern Spain, close to the village of Alozaina, wearing the pilgrim's scallop shell as a symbol of his pilgrimage.
We were honored to view these gorgeous pieces of work, so symbolic of the spirituality of Spain, in this hushed atmosphere.
The church is the crown of the town, sitting highest. Down a few steps is the Plaza of Maria Sagrada, a lovely quiet spot. From here, one may look out in a different direction, catching a glimpse of the outskirts of Malaga, over the miles of olive groves and among the mountains that surround the town. At this time of year, it is a peaceful place, with just the sound of the breeze or the distant barking of dogs. Bruce is very content here. Gift number three.
We meandered a bit farther toward the center of the town where the Cafe de Papa Miguel has two tables outside. We arrived just as one of them became available so that we could order a couple of "canas" (glasses) of beer. Soon, a new acquaintance ambled by, and we invited him to join us for a beer. Sitting in the sun on a Thursday afternoon in February, sipping a cool beer outside with interesting people (I'll include myself!): gift number four.
That evening, Rod and his wife, Alice, as well as Steffi, joined us to help Bruce usher in a new year. They brought good cheer and a bottle of bubbly, as well as some of their musical instruments. I had put together a bunch of small tapas dishes, in addition to a Spanish potato tortilla and a tuna "salad" that had been taught to me by Andrea and Angel in Madrid. A plate of luscious red strawberries topped off our meal. After dinner and lots of good conversation, Bruce and Rod took turns playing Rod's violin, which has been in his family since the 1700's! What a lovely, rich sound it made. And then Alice absolutely wowed us with her guitar playing, her powerful, melodic voice, reminiscent of Joan Baez, and her own composition. This was big talent and a deep spirit. Warmth and friendship enveloped us all around. The whole evening was a gift of the most special sort. Pretty nice way to bring on a new year!
Alice, Rod, and Stephi
Our morning rolled out with its usual activities of checking emails and news online. Across the time zones, Bruce delightedly received his first birthday message - from his first son. Eventually we got out into the day for a stroll. Bruce wanted to go to the church plaza, where there is a high mirador (look-out). As we gazed off in the distance, soaking up the warm sun, I noticed that the big door to the church was open. We had been there before, hoping to get a peek inside the church to see the two huge stained glass windows created by our new friend, Rod Friend. Alas, the church had been locked and gated, even on a Sunday afternoon. Today, however, was February 6, Bruce's birthday, and he was about to receive his second gift. This day the door was open, beckoning us inside. Tentatively we entered, fearing that we might disturb a mass or people praying. But the sanctuary was empty. We could wander around to our heart's content. I was still nervous that a priest might appear, looking askance at two tourists invading his holy space. It didn't happen. Instead, we found Rod's beautiful windows, near the front of the church.
One of the windows is dedicated to Santa Ana. I had never really heard of her before our trip to Spain but here she seemed to jump out at me everywhere, causing me to investigate. It turns out that she was Jesus' grandmother, Mary's mother! Wow, the concept of Jesus having a grandmother was new for me. And here she was, the saint for this little church, keeping vigil over Alozaina. I love Rod's depiction of Santa Ana, tenderly laying hands on the shoulders of her daughter, Mary, in a very maternal way, seeming to impart wisdom through her touch.
Rod's other window depicts Santiago (Saint James, in English) who is the patron saint of Spain and the saint for whom the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain is named. St. James' bones are said to be entombed in Santiago, and millions of pilgrims have walked the Camino over the centuries. However, Rod had chosen to put Santiago here in southern Spain, close to the village of Alozaina, wearing the pilgrim's scallop shell as a symbol of his pilgrimage.
We were honored to view these gorgeous pieces of work, so symbolic of the spirituality of Spain, in this hushed atmosphere.
The church is the crown of the town, sitting highest. Down a few steps is the Plaza of Maria Sagrada, a lovely quiet spot. From here, one may look out in a different direction, catching a glimpse of the outskirts of Malaga, over the miles of olive groves and among the mountains that surround the town. At this time of year, it is a peaceful place, with just the sound of the breeze or the distant barking of dogs. Bruce is very content here. Gift number three.
We meandered a bit farther toward the center of the town where the Cafe de Papa Miguel has two tables outside. We arrived just as one of them became available so that we could order a couple of "canas" (glasses) of beer. Soon, a new acquaintance ambled by, and we invited him to join us for a beer. Sitting in the sun on a Thursday afternoon in February, sipping a cool beer outside with interesting people (I'll include myself!): gift number four.
That evening, Rod and his wife, Alice, as well as Steffi, joined us to help Bruce usher in a new year. They brought good cheer and a bottle of bubbly, as well as some of their musical instruments. I had put together a bunch of small tapas dishes, in addition to a Spanish potato tortilla and a tuna "salad" that had been taught to me by Andrea and Angel in Madrid. A plate of luscious red strawberries topped off our meal. After dinner and lots of good conversation, Bruce and Rod took turns playing Rod's violin, which has been in his family since the 1700's! What a lovely, rich sound it made. And then Alice absolutely wowed us with her guitar playing, her powerful, melodic voice, reminiscent of Joan Baez, and her own composition. This was big talent and a deep spirit. Warmth and friendship enveloped us all around. The whole evening was a gift of the most special sort. Pretty nice way to bring on a new year!
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