A Tempting Prescription For Making New Friends

Warm Saturday nights in San Antonio occasionally found us at Retama Park.  Once a month the city horse racing venue held a kids night where parents could exercise their passion for gambling while children dined on delicacies such as hot dogs, nachos and if they were lucky, a stick of cotton candy -- enormous and blue.  Mothers and Fathers took turns placing their wagers while the unlucky other stood in the never ending face painting or pony ride line.

A lovely fall evening created exceptional excitement for the Parrott family.  Not only were we meeting up with new friends, but upon entering, we spotted a petting zoo.  Sprawled out in the far corner on a rolling hill of patchy grass were hens, sheep, pigs and a vast array of other medium size farm animals.

Yes, once you have children, you will initially be taken aback by your enthusiasm for such events, but will ultimately unknowingly settle into not only an acceptance of, but will actively search for these offerings in your community.  

Patricia, Joe, Camryn and Baby Kacie were not far behind us.  Sophia and I had gotten together with Patricia and her girls a few times previously and found we were incredibly similar in parenting styles and basic values.  A friendship was quickly blossoming!  This was the first evening that we met each other's husbands.   Designated as local San Antonians they had never spent an evening at Retama.   Jason, the town's most avid "transplant" began his narrative on the history of the venue.  By the time he concluded, the Garza family was well equipped to not only understand why the park existed, but also quickly locate the nearest elevator, parking spot and washroom.  Jason could seamlessly moonlight as a tour guide.  Admittedly, I do not long for the days of providing tours of The Alamo, Riverwalk and quaint town of Gruene to our Midwest house guests.  

As the sun set....Camryn and Sophia were off in one direction, Patricia fed Kacie on an inviting bench, Jason hurried to place a bet and I settled belly down on the grass... ready to capture the evening festivities by video. 

It is well known, but hardly accepted that rather than enjoying a moment, I frantically attempt to capture it.

Our curious little 3 year olds were quickly approaching the not so medium sized Llama.  The Llama who was tied to a tree, mildly agitated and readily accessible for play.  

In my mind, all adults were accounted for and by action had demonstrated their responsibilities.  Patricia was feeding the baby, Jason was placing a bet and I was ready to paint this canvas with my video camera.

That left Joe.  

I turned from my flat position on the lawn and anxiously yelled, "Joe, is that Llama friendly!!???"   

He responded with, "What Llama?"

I quickly ensured my video was still running and yelled with a bit too much inflection for someone I had just met, "The Llama that the girls are running towards!"

"WHAT!!??, Joe exclaimed!  I do not see a Llama!!!  WHERE????"

I now had him in an all out panic, for he truly did not see the beast and was obviously in distress over the children's safety. 

I had to put pleasantries aside.  The Llama towered ominously over our slight girls.

"JOE....IS THE LLAMA FRIENDLY???!!!!!"   

My voice tone and range pretty much secured my position in their family.  I would be dear friends with Patricia and occasionally her husband would ponder how in the world she hung out with me.

That being said.... I had to remain in my position as evening videographer and hope the Llama was gentle.  Our new friends would surely appreciate the footage later!

Joe.  The doting father mentioned previously as the fisherman who throws back a catch, quick witted and compassionate, but a force to be reckoned with.  He's a top attorney in San Antonio you know..... introducing villains to justice every single day.

Joe quickly approaches me and politely asks, "Tracy, are you talking about the sheep, tied to the tree?"

If not for anything else....you have to love me for my bountiful lack of common sense.