"The Help" in Ajijic, Lake Chapala

Before we moved to Ajijic in 1994 from Toronto I had had a lovely Polish cleaning lady for 17 years.  She was fantastic with our kids and used to yell at my husband in Polish about all the things he was not doing around the house. I loved her. She came once a week and did the cleaning and ironing.  She always brought some baked goods for us and made clothes for our kids. It was very sad when I had to say good-bye to her but we did stay in touch by mail for several years. When we arrived here we understood that a maid and gardener were “de rigor” which suited us fine as the salaries were most reasonable. Our Viki has been with us since she was 18 years old and she had been trained at La Nueva Posada and has taught me many things over the years including my limited grasp of Spanish. Viki has been with us in 5 rentals and now the house we have owned since 2000. She is married and had two beautiful daughters.  Her entire courtship took place in our laundry area as her now husband was the son of our gardener.  He is now a very well employed University graduate. Recently Viki had to be off work for a surgery for 6 weeks and I have missed her terribly.  She did arrange for her sister to come and help me while she was way but it was not the same.  Other than having her children she has never missed a day of work. I miss her smiling face in the mornings.  Viki always ask about my children who she has known since they were 10 and 12 and I always ask about hers.  She has looked after me when I was sick and helps me with every aspect of running the house.  Viki is always in a good mood and nothing is ever too much trouble for her. I miss how she runs to help me when I come home with  a carful of groceries.  She is younger and stronger than me. She is also great with our dogs and when we are away she and her entire family come to stay at our house and even let the dogs sleep with them for which we are very grateful. I knew how much I appreciated Viki but it did surprise me how very much I missed her.  Not Viki the maid but Viki the person. You can always get someone to clean your house but it is a very different thing to have someone who has become your very dear friend. I am pleased to annouce that Viki is OK and will be returning to work tomorrow.  I am very much looking forward to seeing her beautiful smiling face. I know how very  lucky we are to have her in our lives.