The Age of an Angel

 




Happy 75th birthday!

Best wishes to my Mom. I call her Mom and everyone else calls her Angel or Lita. 

This is a story of ancestral mathematics.

In order to be born, you need:

2 grandparents

4 grandparents

8 great-grandparents

12 second great-grandparents

32 third great grandparents

64 fourth great-grandparents

128 fifth great-grandparents

256 sixth great-grandparents

512 seventh great-grandparents

1,024 eighth great-grandparents

2,048 ninth great-grandparents

For you to be born today from 12 previous generations, you needed a total of 4,094 ancestors over the last 400 years. How many struggles? How many battles? How much happiness? How many love stories? How many expressions of hope for the future? All this for you to exist in this present moment.

Then along came Angela. Who grew up to be an Angel. She is a tropical Angel, and those are a special category of kindness. If kindness was currency, she would be a billionaire.

Angel has been a child with three siblings, a mother of two, a grandmother to six, and a great-grandmother to two. 75 years old and going strong! 

This is a very abbreviated autobiography. How do I attempt to sum up a woman in less than a book? A timeline doesn't do justice to the vibrant life Angel has lived.

The bottom line is that I am deeply blessed to call her Mom.

In the order that they were received, here are some things that Angel is going to love knowing we are thinking and saying about her.

Linda Weberg.   My favorite thing about Angel is she is so kind to everyone, always ready to do anything she can to help you out, if she can. That's why she has so many friends, and why I'm so grateful that she is my friend! Happy 75th Birthday Angel.

Seth W.  My favorite thing about Lita (Abuelita/Grandma) is her laugh. When I think of her I think of her smile and laugh.

Jaden W.   I love how sweet and excited she is every time we call. Her smile and laugh light up my day.

Janna P.   My favorite thing? Her laugh

Brigitte B. in Samara.   Angel is always in a good mood and I have lots of fun with her.

Patty S.  I love Angel's sense of humor, her optimism and her caring nature. Oh, and her taste in colors!

Kathy Mannix.  My favorite thing is her courage to live her life the way she wants to. To go for all that she can.

Gerry D.   She is a true example of her sweet name, an Angel in my life. She gave me shelter. A real gift in my life. Lovely. Happy birthday Angel dear.

Bev Schock.   Angel is one of the sweetest friends I have in Samara. We try to get together on Sunday afternoons when I am there and share a cool glass of wine over deeply philosophical conversations. She's such a happy soul and time with her is always a positive experience. The world is a better place because of people like her who share without regrets, support without judgment, and love without condition.

Michael K.   A favourite memory is from this time we made jam at her place out on Connie Road. I think I was 15 years old. It was fun to do something creative and productive with your Mom/my aunt.

Jeanette J.   Angel is the personification of her name. She is a wonderful person and a true friend. There are so many favourite things and memories over the years I have know Angel. But I guess whisky, chocolate, orchid shows, playing dominoes and drawing nude men would have to be right up there at the top.

Eric & Merri.  Our favorite thing about Angel is the way she makes everyone feel like family.

Ben S. AKA the Little Brother. My favorite thing about Angel is that she is always happy.

Karin V.   Angel is a really warm-hearted woman. She is always with a smile on her face. And as a guest in her house, you feel really welcome.

Mark A.  My favorite thing? Well, she got me here, so that's something.

Ella B.   My favorite thing about Angel is that she's very caring and affectionate.

Marika W.   I love Lita's optimism. Even if something is bothering her or something is out of her control, she looks on the bright side. The farthest she's ever been from a smile when we've chatted was a look of interest and total concentration or a look of sympathy. Otherwise she's always got a smile to share.

Ron H.   Angel is absolutely the best mother-in-law that I've ever had. She checks up on people all the time. She appreciates everything.

Diane M.  I love Angel because of her free spirit! She is kind and loving. Angel is sucha  unique personality and it show by her love of adventure and her ability to make everyone feel loved and welcome. We are kindred spirits, she stayed with me for a few days and we were peas in a pod.

My favorite thing.... I would have to say her optimism and positiveness.   She always seems positive regardless of the situation.   Never flips out, gets mad, or loses her cool.  It is the complete opposite of me... I explode over so many issues.... she is just the opposite.... rolls along with the punches... laughs about all the stupidity and silliness of living in Costa Rica and the nonsense of it all.   It just rolls off her as if it were nothing.    It is fascinating to watch someone so positive.   She has helped me more times than I can count related to the Fenix.... I could never repay it back.   I can not imagine if I did not have her help the first 2 years.   I would have never made it....Now...I can repay her with rides, bank transfers, trips for plants, and use of tools she needs for her house....easy things for me which do not repay what she has done to help me.   I have introduced her to a couple people who she has become friends with.....She laughs and smiles...  and that is a good thing.   She is never without a smile and a laugh....and that is what I appreciate the most.

Jay. AKA The Boss Man.  My favorite thing.... I would have to say her optimism and positiveness.   She always seems positive regardless of the situation.   Never flips out, gets mad, or loses her cool.  It is the complete opposite of me... I explode over so many issues.... she is just the opposite.... rolls along with the punches... laughs about all the stupidity and silliness of living in Costa Rica and the nonsense of it all.   It just rolls off her as if it were nothing.    It is fascinating to watch someone so positive.   She has helped me more times than I can count related to my hotel Fenix.... I could never repay it back.   I can not imagine if I did not have her help the first 2 years.   I would have never made it....Now...I can repay her with rides, bank transfers, trips for plants, and use of tools she needs for her house....easy things for me which do not repay what she has done to help me.   I have introduced her to a couple people who she has become friends with.....She laughs and smiles...  and that is a good thing.   She is never without a smile and a laugh....and that is what I appreciate the most.

Linda Milligan.  Angel is a good friend. Ever since grade 9 back in Victoria.

Kiara M.  My favorite thing about Lita is her big hugs and ability to seem younger every year.

Randy.  Angel gives the best hugs in Samara.

Chris D.  What I love most about Angel is her willingness with sharing the wisdom of her years while at the same time, encouraging me to live the youth that is still inside me. She is fiercely independent and strong willed and goes after what she wants. She is proof that the universe provides what we need, as she has become my Samara sister. Happy birthday, sister! Stay young at heart and stay healthy. Love you more!

Carrie J.  What I love about Angel! So many things, seriously. Her abundant joy. Her radiance, acceptance of others, perserverance, love of goodness, and generosity.
















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