Children's Day in Mexico
By Federico León de la Vega – May 2008
My country is known for its strong family values and children are, of course, everyone’s favorites. April 30th is the national holiday dedicated to celebrate children. As kids arrive to school on this day, they are met by teachers dressed in costumes and balloons hanging from the ceiling. The study hours are cut short so that games and contests are organized. Parents rush to make an early pick up and continue celebrating at home.
 The beach is a favorite place for kids. The freedom to run and frolic in the ocean spray makes always an irresistible attraction, an invitation for sure fun. A place for action and sports, for dog chasing, for love and contemplation. Living in Bahía de Banderas we are so fortunate to have wonderful public beaches all along the coast. Walking along, skipping the waves is great way to entertain a child. Also, sitting down on the sand to watch the sun go down enables us to establish peaceful conversations that can bridge any generation gap. Now that the young are threatened by so many dangerous influences and pressure from their peers to experiment whatever may be hip, talking to our children is crucial. Thank-God for our ocean: it sets the atmosphere that keeps the words flowing. You can just stare into the distant horizon …words will breeze from heart to heart until the big fireball slowly falls into the water. After dawn you can walk back home and meditate all that has been said.
Children playing by the shore is one of my favorite subjects. Not long ago I was asked to paint a beach scene for a couple of retired friends who frequently visit my Estudio-Café. They had two girls as grandchildren, so I painted the two of them, playing ball on the beach; however, stepping back and looking at the composition it seemed somewhat empty, so I thought I should add a little boy with a toy sailboat…and so I did. Now, a year later, my friends have a new boy grandchild! I wonder if premonitions may come through my painting? I should then paint many happy children playing on our Vallarta beaches. All of them healthy and happy, running and splashing and playing.
As I stare into my 9 year old daughter’s eyes, so full of life and wonder…I can’t but feel gratitude for our children and for the luck to live in such a place as ours, full of beautiful beaches, in the peaceful, generous country that is Mexico. Email to a friend.
Federico León de la Vega
E-mail: fleondelavega@hotmail.com
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Nota de Autor: Este es un capítulo de un libro de mis aventuras como pintor.
El Estudio – Café de Federico León de la Vega esta abierto al público, se localiza en Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Abierto de Lunes a Sábado de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m. Domingos de 8:00 a 11:00 a.m.
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