| | |  Vallarta Living | April 2009 
Reflections of a Long-Time PV Resident
 Pamela Thompson - PVNN
Puerto Vallarta - As things slow down a bit around here it gives me a bit more time to reflect on points that when I am dashing through life are only wisps of thoughts in my muddled and aging brain.
One of these is the concept of change. Everything is continually changing, whether it is the plants growing on my patio, the length of my hair (and roots!), prices at the grocery store, people coming and going in and out of my life.
Sitting in the same spot on Los Muertos Beach where I have sat for the past 22 years, I watched the guys that do the parachutes. One guy in particular, I have known for nearly 25 years, and how things have changed with him. He is much older now, he has cut his long hair, he has new teeth - and he now has a cell phone!
His face has more wrinkles from the sun and he still knows how to "read" the wind and the waves and land someone in the same spot on the beach that he has done since he was a very young man. Oh-so-many years ago when my son was small, this guy would spend time with my chunky little boy who looked up to him as if he was "The King of the Beach."
Now, he does the same thing - but with my grandson. I find this somehow comforting, knowing that even though he has changed, aged, he is still there being "El Rey de la Playa." He now greets my grown son in that Macho way that guys do around here... with the big, slapping handshake and semi-hug.
Having my grandson with me the entire last week, I found myself thinking, "Please! Don't ever change! Don't grow up! Stay the innocent and sweet little boy that you are now, safe and secure and in love with me!" But that is not to be. I see the transformation of my granddaughter as she moves from two years old to three. She preens in front of any mirror she passes. She wants her hair in a perfect style, lip gloss smeared across her mouth, clothes in order. She is much more in love with her Papa than her Grandmother. She too, will obviously change as she grows into a beautiful young woman.
Yes, things are changing in Puerto Vallarta. Buildings are going up to high levels, traffic is worse than ever and the economy is iffy at best, to name a few. But it's the constant things that keep my hopes up, my feet firmly planted on the ground. True and loving friends. Family. The Primavera trees blooming in splendor. The taco stand on the corner. The guy that rides on his burro with his spotted dog trotting along beside him. The annoying sound of the gas man letting you know he is on the way. And my friend, "The King of the Beach," sending people flying through the air to obtain a bird's eye view of our home.
I leave you with a note I found stuck to my computer after my grandson went home last week: "gremateqeiro" (Grandma, I Love You.)
 Pamela Thompson is a registered nurse who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.
Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta. |
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