I’ve written many times about the set of flashing eyes I ran into in Panama in November of 1981. They had such a profound effect on me that I proposed to her three days later despite the three other girls I was dating at the time. It was one of the best decisions I ever made because here we are nearly forty years later still hanging out with each other. I mention all this because today is my Favorite Panamanian’s birthday. She’s been along for the ride as we moved around the world and raised our two kids while I was gone for long stretches of time running around the woods and deserts with well-armed friends. They say with old age (for which I am now eminently qualified) comes wisdom. I’m not sure that applies to me but I do know my accumulated years allows me the perspective to look back on those years spent with her and to fully appreciate the courage it took to follow this gringo away from her beloved family and country. As I do that, I am a little in awe of this lady.
One Very Lucky Guy is Pictured Here
Yep,
she still has the ability the completely devastate me with those eyes, as I’ve written
before, they still flash on command. It is so much fun to watch her with our
granddaughters. They all seem to light up when they hear her distinctive,
decibel laden voice. That attention is probably due to the unbridled,
unconditional love she showers them with. She is at her happiest when she’s
with these precocious young ladies. I’m so glad they have her example of
courage and love of life to experience as they grow up. I hope one day they’ll appreciate
it as much as I do. So, here’s to you, my Favorite Panamanian, happy birthday
my love and thanks for hanging around this big dumb gringo for so long. You’ve
made all the difference.
Wife, on the Right, A Few Years Ago
These Pictures Show her at Her Happiest 
She Keeps Good Company 
Best Abuela Ever
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RECURRING CHARACTERS
BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first
granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best
Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman
– my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2
– friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend
– friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as
radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten
Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high
school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Maine
and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters,
my wife is the 3rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of
my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin
Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we
have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood
Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of
course); First Friday – celebrations
to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside
Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in
Brooklyn
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