Hearts Stronger Than Concrete

Back in the 70’s I lived in Baja, Mexico.  I met a man wearing a beautiful, tiny mask of silver around his neck.  I admired it and he took it off and gave it to me.  And then he told me that he was from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Hypertufa Pots

  He said it was a region known for it’s masks.   Great crafts-persons made masks out of clay, paper, and silver.  Masks into pots, pipes and jewelry.  He said it was a place of beauty and I should visit some day.  I never did visit Oaxaca and my time in Mexico came to an end.  I wore the necklace often and eventually gifted it to my daughter upon her graduation from high school.

I spent a good part of this week with 80 pounds of Portland concrete and some flower pots.  I experimented with peat moss and perlite to create a fire bowl for my new deck.  In the process I learned a bit of the art of concrete.  And I broke things and learned of the art of Gorilla Glue.  I swore; alot.  All in all it was a good week for me.

While my concrete shattered at my feet my mind returned to that man and his pride in his people; the crafters of the masks.  The people of Oaxaca.  The people of Mexico.

Concrete, a seemingly strong substance that builds walls of homes, schools, and workplaces, breaks in earthquakes.  It turns to heavy dust and rubble.  I KNOW this and so do my toes.  I pray that the hearts of the people of Mexico can withstand the weight of the destruction and that they can piece their lives back together again.  It will take more than a little glue.