Throughout Mexico, children and grandchildren make a point of spending time with their elders on August 28. They also bring gifts. This year, because the official day is Monday, most festivities and visits were held over the weekend.
Note: The tradition of celebrating Grandparents Day was instituted in 1983 under the presidency of Lazaro Cardenas. During the 1990’s, announcer Edgar Gaytan promoted the special day on a radio program dedicated to older adults. It has become an important event for families.
Arriving at Ohana Assisted Living, San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mexico for Grandparents Day Celebration
This year, Ohana Assisted Living in San Juan Cosala at Lake Chapala in the state of Jalisco honored its residents with a grand party that included relatives and friends, staff, folkloric dancers, an extraordinary jazz band with musical choices remembered by the generation of residents, and a beautifully prepared buffet. The residents at Ohana are from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Hosts Ana and Alonzo, both geriatric nurses who live on the lovely campus, warmly greeted all. They produced a memorable event.
Ana and Alonzo, geriatric nurses, owners of Ohana Assisted Living
Fabulous Mexican summer fruit at Ohana Assisted Living, known for its quality meals and treats
Grandparents Day cake at Ohana Assisted Living, Mexico
Folkloric dancers near the Ohana Assisted Living pool
The dancers changed costumes three times and by the end of their performances they had gone from pastels to bright and colorful red, white, and black!! Loved the zapadiada dancing. Fun for all.
Grandparents Day Celebration with live jazz band at Ohana Assisted Living, Mexico
Former heavy weight wrestler. salsa teacher, and LA Times writer Ken in rehab after a fall in California, accompanied by adorable caregiversBob, U.S. Air Force retired, with his caregiver who lovingly calls him “joven”, young one because of his bright spirit
On Saturday, August 19, 2017, social worker/psychotherapist Toni Rahman, originally from Missouri, produced a Pop-Up Clinic to introduce alternative healing practitioners to each other at a Lake Chapala, Mexico refuge.
After a sage “cleansing” and blessing by Toltec shamanic student and host Craig Shanholtzer, nine persons introduced themselves and the work they do. An additional seven friends who support healing solutions came to learn and experience what the nine offer, and, to help get the word out to the community-at-large about resources at the lake.
It was a beautiful day spent on an inviting porch, in a splendid garden, or in quiet rooms either giving or receiving. “Magical”, “relaxing”, “wonderful” are the comments I heard.
Lake Chapala Pop-Up Clinic patio where participants were welcomed and got to know each other
Lake Chapala Pop-Up Clinic Healing Garden
Some healing arts folks who were present:
Toni Rahman, producer of the Lake Chapala Pop-Up Healing Clinic
Toni Rahman – psychotherapist, EMDR practitioner, angel card reader, and author of the newly released Being in My Body http://www.ToniRahman.com
Kim Campbell – Canadian massage therapist with training in osteopathy
Doris Diaz, Kundalini yoga instructor
Doris Diaz – Kundalini yoga instructor, originally from Venezuela and Guadalajara, now a resident at the lake
Dara Eden, Reiki practitioner (far right)
Dara Eden – Usui Reiki Master Teacher/Intuitive Energy Healer, originally from California via one year in Vilcabamba, Ecuador www.InnerChiMastery.com
Mahadevi – Thai massage therapist, ayurvedic consultations, from Colombia
Aracely Marquez – Mexican SCIO therapist (could not attend but will attend future Pop-Up Clinics)
Sophia Rose – holistic therapist and coach, intuitive consultant, clinical hypnotherapist, and EFT practitioner from San Diego www.catalystresource.com
Cynthia Rothchild – tantra teacher, watsu therapist, cosmic breathing teacher originally from Ohio www.cincoelementosajijic.com
Earl Schenck, hands on healing and IET (Integrated Energy Therapy) practitioner for over 20 years
The next Lake Chapala Pop-Up Healing Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, September 23. The time and place will be announced on bulletin boards and in periodicals around Lake Chapala as well as on the sana-clinica.com web site sited below.
For more photos from the event click on this link: