A New Heirloom

When I got home from work around 11 p.m. this past Friday, I was surprised to find that the lights were on and Mari was still up, since she usually goes to bed some time between 9 and 11. It didn't take me long to figure out why she was still up, though: she was still reveling in the gift Emilio had received that afternoon. Not long after I left the house earlier several hours earlier, the laziest, most sullen delivery man in the world (an employee of UPS whom we know too well) had delivered a large care package along with several other gifts (books and clothes) that had been sent to Emilio from our friends in Denver (via Xiamen): Kathy, Mike, Tao and Maya. Included in that package was the large quilt that you see in the photos at right. Mari draped it over the living room couch so that I would see it as soon as I walked through the door. On the back side of the quilt, which Kathy had made for Emilio, is a map of the world with the following inscription: "Emilio, this is your world. Cherish the beauty within it; strive to change the rest." The side you see in the photo features an American flag and a Spanish flag joined together by the Great Wall of China, representing Emilio's dual nationalities. A mate bombilla (mate is the national drink of Argentina) is superimposed over the American flag, and the sun which appears on the Argentine flag is superimposed on the Spanish flag, as are illustrated maps of Texas and Illinois (Emilio's cultural heritage). It is, in short, one of the most creative, thoughtful and appreciated gifts our young family has had the pleasure of receiving. And, I should add, it is just the kind of gift that Kathy is known for making.

Xie xie ni!