Exchange program led to long family friendship

In the fall of 1968, Alfredo Bucio was an exchange student sponsored by the Spokane Valley Rotary Club. My husband Fay Johnstone, a member of the club, and I were one of the families that hosted Alfredo for three-month periods. He stayed with us during October, November and December and was a student at University High School.

We had a trip planned to Mexico in February 1969. Alfredo wanted us to meet his family. He wrote his mother who wrote us and invited us to visit them. They lived in Celaya, Guanajuato, which is about 150 miles north of Mexico City. We took a bus from Mexico City, not knowing what to expect. We were delightfully surprised by the warm welcome.

What a wonderful family! So began a beautiful friendship that has endured 41 years. Estela and Alfredo Sr., had a large family; 12 children and they hoped they would all be bilingual. Their two oldest sons were Rotary exchange students in Pennsylvania. Two older daughters were also Rotary exchange students in Pennsylvania and one daughter was in Connecticut. The Bucios were hosting a student from Pennsylvania.

The Bucio home was huge and in the Spanish colonial style, with a courtyard in the center and rooms opening off the courtyard. The walls of the dining room had very old murals that were on the national register. Two of Senora Bucio’s sisters, unmarried, also lived there. There was plenty of room; 37 rooms in all.

We decided we would host the remaining children on our own when they each became 15 years old. Lucia came in 1974, Pelir in 1975, Antonio and Maria in 1976, Rafael in 1980, Fernando in 1981 and Gabriela came in 1987.

They all attended U-Hi and became very proficient in English. They went on to further their education after they finished high school in Mexico, except for two of the girls.

Through the years we visited Celaya many times to attend weddings, King’s Day, reunions, etc. Unfortunately, Senor Bucio died in 1974. We became their second family. Since our family consisted of just one daughter, we were open to embrace this loving family. In 1999 Senora Bucio and two sons attended our 50th wedding anniversary. Senora Bucio passed away in October 2008.

Since we are getting old, they wanted to come and visit. Fay’s birthday was Aug. 28 and I am not well, but I was very happy when they made plans to visit. This took a bit of planning as they all came from long distances. They arrived on Aug. 26 and 27.

What a marvelous, great, great time. There was a lot of love, laughter, singing and reminiscing. They wanted to see their old school and were a bit disappointed to see it was no longer their school. But, they were very impressed with the new U-Hi.

Their five-day visit went by too fast and soon it was time for goodbyes. They all knew that this was probably the last time we would all be together. It has been a rewarding friendship and an important part of our lives.