A world you can’t predict demands a mom you can trust

Mercedes Cruz. Only the best.
I was skeptical when my coordinator informed me on the first day of orientation that my assigned host mom was generally known to be the best. There were no other interns within earshot and what was to stop La Jefa from telling everyone that their host mom was the best? It turns out that this was not a little white lie to calm nerves but was pure, empirical fact. My host mom is the BEST.
Here's why:

1. Love. She has opened her home to countless oblivious, non-fluent, unknowingly abrasive students over the years and remembers something about each one, whether it's the city they're from, an experience they had while working with ProWorld, or the day she decided that they were the equivalent of her grandchild-soulmate. She handles a situation that many of us would consider to be a constant invasion of privacy with all the grace in the world.
2. Pep. Mama M has not had an easy life. She started working when she was 16 years old and moved from her small village outside Oaxaca. Her husband passed away about 6 years ago and although her 2 grown children live close and her elderly mother is living here, I can tell that she gets lonely. Nevertheless, she never insists on talking about her problems and always wants to know how our day went, if we're hungry, if we need anything else. She's not afraid to dole out motherly advice and sticks to her guns on issues.
3. The Nest. Mercedes has a beautiful, comfortable house. Everything is very bright and open and I feel very much at home here. The backyard is small but the plethora of flowers make up for its lack of size. Also, there's a double-wide hammock under the palm tree. I have yet to find anyone to share it with (except some mosquitoes) but applications are being accepted.
4. Nomz. Mama M is a strong believer in eating natural foods. Every morning we have either fresh fruit or freshly squeezed juice (carrot juice day was not my favorite but luckily haven't seen that since). Sometimes the oranges even come straight off the tree in the backyard! Just about everything we eat comes from a nearby market or tortillería. Feeling like tea before bedtime? Don't worry there are mint, chamomile and several other unidentified plants on the patio exactly for that reason. Barbara would be so proud!
5. I have a nickname. I'm not sure when exactly it came about, but lately Mama Mercedes has taken to calling me "Oli" and I like it.
6. There are so many other unidentifiable bits that have made my homestay experience 100% positive, mostly revolving around one Mercedes Cruz. What a woman.

I would extrapolate but I guess I should go to work or something. More on that later...