Mimi's Wishing Well

Mom received the best surprise ever on Friday! Komsu, a former student of Mom's from her Carthage College teaching days, flew in for a visit. Around 3:00 in the afternoon, Komsu and his girlfriend Holly, were knocking on her door. And, boy, was she ever surprised! Mom said that they had the most wonderful visit. And, for the record, Mom thinks that Komsu has found quite a gem in Holly.

I should tell you a little about this special visitor. When my mom was a teacher at Carthage, she made an extra effort to help students from different countries. One of the most generous things that she did was open up our home to them. Not only did these students have a place to stay during the holidays when the dorms closed, but they also had a family nearby. I was a teenager during those years and I remember how cool it was to have college students from different parts of the world stay with us.

Komsu and Gonzalo were sort of a package deal. Although they were from different parts of the globe, Komsu from Tanzania and Gonzalo from Panama, the two quickly became bosom buddies as they were college dorm mates. Gonzalo, who was already part of our family because he is my Mom's brother's nephew, told mom that his roommate needed some help. Apparently, Komsu didn't know about the college cafeteria, because he was eating the apples off of the trees! (Sorry, Komsu. But, you have to admit that it is very funny. Just consider it pay-back for tricking a young girl into believing that you used to ride an elephant to school.) Today, Komsu is a very successful cardiologist in Connecticut. And, although I didn't ask him, it is very likely that he is getting his fruits and vegetables from the produce aisle at the grocery store these days.

Since Komsu's visit, Gonzalo has tried to call Mom a couple of times. He was excited to hear about Komsu's visit and wanted to know how things went. Very busy with a career and family of his own in Panama, Gonzalo wasn't able to make this reunion. But, Mom is really looking forward to a phone visit with him. And, she is still flying high from her surprise visitor. (Komsu, you have no idea how happy you made Mom. Thank you so very much!)