CECI

In the summer of 2005, we arrived in Southern California with 13 bags in tow and 13 boxes to follow in the next couple of weeks. Unlike some migrants, we weren't worried because a month ahead, Ceci has mailed to us the key to her house.
Nicely packed in our rental, Papa maneuvred the dark, wet streets of Orange County (and they say it never rains in Southern California) easily, thankfully, and we found Ceci's house ready for us and all to ourselves.
The room where we were going to sleep was done in full Ceci regalia... with fresh soft sheets, a rosebud in between the pillows, towels neatly folded by the foot of the bed and with soap and shampoo to boot! I can almost imagine her giving the room a once around, then picking up her bags and setting off to somewhere for a business trip.
The following morning, she called us and said, 'Mi casa es su casa.'
We managed to find an apartment a week after Ceci came back from her trip. And she was ready even for that... with china, sheets, even a mattress... everything to tide us over until we got down to our bearings.
Come December, she took us home to her parents' house for Christmas dinner. And come every holiday after that, we were never left in want for a family to celebrate them with.
Last Saturday, we had a wonderful night at the Abildrens' to celebrate a lot of blessings... Christmas, the new year, Trine's birthday, my birthday and Ceci. She is moving to a new place in the sun, to a new life, to a new love, to new beginnings. 
Whenever I think of her, I believe again that there are angels. She will always be in my heart.
Marble # 1767