Lisa’s mother Alice moved from Bakersfield to live with us in Mexico in 2015. It did not go well. She was scared and I was too. We had no real relationship prior to the move. Lisa’s interactions with her mom had only been brief visits and phone calls since she was nineteen years old. There was no one to take care of her in California and she was not doing well, so we invited her to live with us. What could go wrong?
Upon arrival to Bacalar, Alice lived with us for a brief period in our very little house while her even littler house was being finished. Yes, we built her her own house. She wouldn’t eat anything that we prepared for dinner and almost never came out of her room. We were not off to a good start.
As time went on, I knew that if things were to improve, it was on me. I began doing things with her, taking her out shopping and to dinner when Lisa was in the States. Things slowly began to improve.
Last July, Alice got Covid. After two hospital stays and seven months in bed, she began to improve. Our doctor had predicted that she wouldn’t make it a year, that’s how bad she was. I guess that looking death in the eye does something to a person. It sure did to Alice.
Today she goes to the gym and works out 4-5 days a week. Her drive keeps us going. She eats whatever we make her and never complains. She refers to me as her daughter-in-law and tells me she loves me. And more than anything, she’s happy and very grateful for her life. Lisa and I are inspired by her every day. At 79 she is a miracle and I am grateful to call her friend and Mom.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
What an amazing transformation. An incredible story of hope for us all!
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I think the transformed was me! Choosing to love her and really get to know her was mine. Also Covid got her off a lot of medication which I really think made a huge difference. We all continue to grow and yes there’s hope for all of us. ❤️
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Such the right thing to do—taking her along to shop and such. Glad it’s worked well!
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Thanks. I’m still learning everyday.
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Alex, I absolutely love this about Alice. Such a great story. Also love hearing about you and Lisa’s lives there in Mexico. Your post about aging and figuring out when we’re going to die, how to maintain until/when we do, is something not talked about enough. To medicate or not, when to cut back, and when to not. Hard to know what to do and what professional to trust. ❤️❤️❤️ Keep writing. You’re very good at it.
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Thanks Ellen.
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I didn’t know it was so difficult at first.
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Quite.
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