To all those wonderful people who made our 48 hours in Puerto Rico such a delight. Jim Osuna
My wife Ana and I were surprised and very delighted to received the packet from the University of Puerto Rico, which provided us with information on the University's growth and progress during the last 57 years since Daddy's death.
The reference of 'daddy' is merrily a reminder that I was 15 at his death and only 11 years of age when we left Puerto Rico! I try to make sure that all the people that I talk to about him realize that I really only knew him through the eyes, mind, and heart of a child. That way they are more understanding and forgiving of the wonderful feelings that I have for him!
Along with Ana, my son, John, and his wife, Laura, we enjoyed our short stay in Puerto Rico. Saturday we walked about Old San Juan -- in my case -- searching my memory for familiar sights and sounds from my childhood, when I walked the same streets with my father so long ago! One clear observation -- the trees have grown!!!! Probably two or threefold! Alas, Wendy's has replaced the barber shop which was around the corner from Christopher Columbus Plaza!
Sunday we had a wonderful visit with the director, Dr. Felix de Jesus-Aviles, Ms. Del Valle, the editor of “Osuna En Foco”, and some of the faculty, who gave up their Sunday afternoon to be with us and welcome us to the Juan Jose Osuna School in Hato Rey. They were all most gracious! We witnessed first hand the technology being taught to the students and they lavish upon us gifts and school memorabilia for us to keep and remember our experience with them.
Later in the afternoon we went to the University and walked about the campus. Although it was very dry (all over San Juan area) it was huge and large, trees and buildings having grown in great numbers!!! The most interesting, aside from the building dedicated to my father, was the old stadium area where "Daddy" took me frequently to watch the track and field meets. I remember specifically meeting this tall, thin, dark 400 meter(?) runner -- my how gracious and beautifully he ran his event! Maybe that is the reason I became a runner (HS & College) and, later, a lifetime (36 yrs.) coach in the sport, as well as, a teacher of History. So, seeing that old stadium really had a great impact upon my physic!
I believe the new library and gardens has replaced the cinder track oval! Someday I hope to get out to the new stadium compound and see how the growth has impacted all of Rio Piedras.
Another attraction of interest to us all was the almost perfect Royal Palm Pod that I happened upon while walking about the main courtyard in front of the Theater and to the rear of the Tower. I recounted to all present how my father and I use to use these pods as a sled to slide down a grassy decline by the side of our house outside of Rio Piedras, very much as children in Arlington, VA (our home in the USA) slide down icy hills in the wintertime on their sleds. My, that certainly was a real blast from the past.
We did drive around Rio Piedras, thanks to our hostess and host, the most hospitable and gracious, Mrs. Raquel Ramirez de Febus and Mr. Raul Febus, stopping across the street from the Old Cathedral in the central plaza for a welcome ice cream cone. Recalling the approximate location of my brother-law's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Lebedeff, residence, meant a great deal to me, since many a day did I daydream, looking out the window upon the Old Plaza, observing the orange-pealing vendor below, while Mrs. Lebedeff was trying tutoring me in spelling and reading!
Monday, after having breakfast with them, Ana and I wished John and Laura a Bon Voyage for their 7 day Caribbean cruise. We headed to the Luis Munoz Marin airport to catch our flight back to Orlando. A good time was had by all. And thanks to all who made such a journey from the present into the long ago, past, possible.
Sincerely Yours,
Jim and Ana Osuna
