Miriam, Delfina, Maxine, and I left ABQ for a two-day trip into a place and space filled with magic. As is our custom, we try and spend some time together the weekend before Mother’s Day. This year, we planned a trip to the beautiful hot water springs in Ojo Caliente. Our first stop was in the tiny village of Tesuque for lunch at the famous Tesuque Village Market.
As we were leaving, I glanced into the bar area and fell hopelessly into another dimension because there, sitting at the end of the bar with his back to me, was my beloved son, Marc.
My darling Mark took his own life a little over 20 years ago, and yet there he was sitting with his back turned to me, curly blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, broad shoulders, a black leather vest, the exact image of my Marc.
I thought I was going to faint. For one instant, a thought flashed through my mind, “There’s been a mistake – Mark‘s not dead – he’s sitting at the bar.” Then of course, reality returned. Yet, I was obsessed with the need to see the face of what appeared to be this double of my long, dead son.
I took a deep breath and walked down the bar, and turned to look into the face of this young man eating his lunch with friends. I was staring at him with tears running down my face. He looked up and said something that I don’t recall, and I apologized for staring. I told him that he was a double of my son. He was very kind and said that he was delighted to look like any son of mine.
He was charming, just like my Marc. The resemblance was astonishing in both looks and personality. This kind, tattooed, engaging young man asked me about Mark and what he did for a living. I told him Mark was dead. He said he was so sorry, and I felt that he truly was sorry.
I asked his age. He said “42.” That is exactly the age Marc was when he made the decision to take his life.
The girls and I left the bar and began our trek up the mountain to the springs.
I, with a happy heart, tears in my eyes, and a smile on my lips.
Perhaps it is true; “Tears are the shower that cleanse our soul from sorrow.”
Never give up on the hope that magic can, and will, appear unexpectedly and most welcome in your life.
