Brad and Mary Phelps joined us for the February 2 program, and formed a special bond with Kristina, one of our newest team members. He has given us permission to use his emails, because I think they are very representative of the deep feelings experienced and the friendships that are formed during our 8-day programs. We remember telling Kristina (before her first program) that she will be surprised how quickly the group bonds with each other and the Focus team. She said later that mentally she just rolled her eyes, and thought..."Right!" Even though she's lived her for 12 years, after this program, I think she understood totally the magic of lakeside and how "Once the dust of Mexico gets into your heart, you can never go home again." I think Brad and Mary understand it too!
Dear Kristina,
We had a good trip back - easier for sure than the trip there since they'd canceled one of our flights. It's good to be back rather than living in a hotel but we'd both rather be there. The temps aren't too bad and we had lots of sun yesterday when we got back but I just feel cold even in the house. We'll just have to adjust.
We had so much fun with you and Joel and your familyon Friday. I feel like suddenlywehave more friends in Mexico than we've ever had here - thanksin large part toyou.
We've always eaten mostly healthy but we're having trouble figuring out what to eat since nothing sounds fresh enough. You'd think we'd been gone for a month.
We had a great trip into Guadalajara on Monday to see the shoe factory and the tannery where the leathers come from for their shoes. So the brand is Wolky from Holland - Dutch styling made from Americanhides tanned in Mexico and the shoesmade in Mexico. Interesting.
We're starting tofigure out how to structure our consolidation and shrink our presence here. This doesn't seem easy so far.
Our love to you and Joel and family,
Brad
Kristina,
Well, Mary and I are STILL talking about you too. While on the program I started to feel a little bad that we were taking up all your time since we seemed to only want to talk to you and Tere wherever we went. I hope that didn't really happen.
I've been up to make coffee and Mary is just up so Iread your email to Mary - we're both getting lots of sleep this week - and it put a smile on both our faces. I'm working on my choked up story and you'll be the first to hear it. The part I couldn't talk about is quite simple, like the General's story, so I've been looking at the culmination of it so it will make sense.
I really think that you're right about setting our sights. Everything we're doing now just looks different, seems changed, like we're different - for sure not in the same mental place. Who knew you could change two lives so dramatically in just a week? Anyway I think we'll move through our transition quicker than we imagine now.
By the waymany times whenI think "oh yea, I've got this one down" it just opens the door to find out all I've done is find the tip of the iceberg. Isn'tenlightenment wonderful?
Love from both of us,
Brad
Kristina,
I wanted to send this to you first and then I'll send it to Ray and Marie since Ray asked when I could share it he'd love to hear it.
I really wanted to look at what choked me upand I couldn'ttalk about that dayduring the program. First understand thatI'mtouched easily and my emotions show up quickly. This often embarrasses me - my wife loves this aboutme, so I don't hide it.
I'll start with the story that Marie told about the General whose wife said that he was a changed man since he'd moved to Mexico - the man she'd fallen in love with was back. Well, I almost lost it with that story; obviously itstruck a deep chord for me.
Next was spending the day in Chapala on Monday, a holiday, and seeing the interaction of all the families and seeing the closeness that exists in the Mexican culture. I was especially struck by the children who don't have the aggression and disruption that kids have in the states and parents NOTyelling at themto get them to mind. A different level of respect for sure.
When we were finally headed back to the bus I watched a young boy, maybe 12 or 13 yearsoldholding his arm outfor his older sister maybe 13 or 14 so she could steady herself walking across the cobblestones in the street. Very natural and caring and innocent.
The rest of the equation was meeting and spending time with Kristina and Tere. Both new to Focus and figuring out the ropes so to speak with our groupbut still very generous and caring and open and eager for us to feel welcome.
So the thing that continues to choke me up is the image of that little boy so unpretentiously holding out his arm for his sister. It just pulls in everything else I've described. The meaning of all this for me is I've found a place where I can be myself again where I'm easily welcomed and where people have more regard for their families and friends than what or how muchthey have.
We went out for diner last night in Berthoud and listened to our "Tall Boys" CD on the way home to remind us of where we were last Saturday. Another cold and cloudy day - I won't havethe weatherto complain about in Chapala.
Brad
Thanks for the memories, Brad. You've choked us up too and reminded us once again how lucky we are to be living in this little pocket of paradise. Hasta pronto, mis amigos!