are, I will be too.”
Visiting time was over and they parted with a promise to stay in touch. She would visit him at least once a week since she was still in school and did not have much free time, not to mention the prison was far from her house and visits were very restricted.
“But I will be communicating with you through letters,” she said with a kiss.
Luis returned to his cell with the anticipation that everything would be fine.
As soon as he got home, Pablo packed his bags and left for Guadalajara. The two-hour flight seemed forever. With only a few minor setbacks, he arrived in his hometown at almost six in the evening and immediately left for the hospital.
The image that greeted him upon entering the hospital room could not have been more heartbreaking. It seemed twenty years had passed in just a few months. Sometimes we lose track of time and would like to see those we have left behind remain just as they were when we emigrated: that strong and protective image that guided our first steps, and those great heroes who solved all our problems with the tenderness of a kiss. We would like time to pause from the day we left, preserving our parents or grandparents, and our siblings until the day of our return. But we soon realize that time and illnesses do not spare anyone, and like it or not, years pass by while we’re fighting for our ideals, forgetting that the best time of our lives have been left behind. We take notice that everything is out of our hands and the years that have passed are reflected on their faces and that until the last moment, they have awaited our return.
Pablo heard many stories from friends who had lost their parents and who had not been with them in the last moments of their lives. Much less in the delicate stages of their illnesses that unfortunately eat away their days making them live, in most cases, in agony and loneliness that seems to never end. Ironically, they blame themselves for being in such a situation, as they feel that they haven’t done enough to retain their children so as to not migrate and causing them to be far away. The little energy they have left during their moments of lucidity are spent praying for their children, asking God for their well-being, ignoring that they are the ones who are now in need of prayers. It never crossed Pablo’s mind that it would happen to him; but there laid the one whom had been his mother, the one who had guided him, tired, due to so much suffering throughout the years and the wear caused by her illnesses. He never imagined such pain to see her in that state.
There was no reproach whatsoever from Grandma Andrea. Seeing him brought a smile on her face, accompanied by tears. Pablo kissed her and took her suffering, but gentle hands and caressed her for a moment. The scene had left him speechless. The old woman was connected to several machines that controlled oxygen and monitored her heartbeat. She also had an I.V. that administered medications, which had hurt her wrinkled hands to the point that she had bruises everywhere. The never-ending “beep-beep” of the machines made the moment more chilling.
The doctor suddenly entered the room.
“You must be her grandson Pablo!” said the doctor. “Your grandmother can’t stop talking about you. She said you’re a hero who has fought for a good cause, and every day she kept asking if you were here.”
“Yes, Doctor,” said Pablo. “I want to apologize for not being able to be here sooner, but circumstances didn’t allow me. What can you tell me about my grandmother?
“We have had difficult days,” said the doctor, “and I think your presence will be the best medicine. But I regret to say that diabetes can only be controlled by insulin, and apparently her heart is not pumping blood properly, either. We will receive the results of the analysis tomorrow. So for the time being, you all should rest. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. You can stay, but avoid emotional situations to
Visiting time was over and they parted with a promise to stay in touch. She would visit him at least once a week since she was still in school and did not have much free time, not to mention the prison was far from her house and visits were very restricted.
“But I will be communicating with you through letters,” she said with a kiss.
Luis returned to his cell with the anticipation that everything would be fine.
As soon as he got home, Pablo packed his bags and left for Guadalajara. The two-hour flight seemed forever. With only a few minor setbacks, he arrived in his hometown at almost six in the evening and immediately left for the hospital.
The image that greeted him upon entering the hospital room could not have been more heartbreaking. It seemed twenty years had passed in just a few months. Sometimes we lose track of time and would like to see those we have left behind remain just as they were when we emigrated: that strong and protective image that guided our first steps, and those great heroes who solved all our problems with the tenderness of a kiss. We would like time to pause from the day we left, preserving our parents or grandparents, and our siblings until the day of our return. But we soon realize that time and illnesses do not spare anyone, and like it or not, years pass by while we’re fighting for our ideals, forgetting that the best time of our lives have been left behind. We take notice that everything is out of our hands and the years that have passed are reflected on their faces and that until the last moment, they have awaited our return.
Pablo heard many stories from friends who had lost their parents and who had not been with them in the last moments of their lives. Much less in the delicate stages of their illnesses that unfortunately eat away their days making them live, in most cases, in agony and loneliness that seems to never end. Ironically, they blame themselves for being in such a situation, as they feel that they haven’t done enough to retain their children so as to not migrate and causing them to be far away. The little energy they have left during their moments of lucidity are spent praying for their children, asking God for their well-being, ignoring that they are the ones who are now in need of prayers. It never crossed Pablo’s mind that it would happen to him; but there laid the one whom had been his mother, the one who had guided him, tired, due to so much suffering throughout the years and the wear caused by her illnesses. He never imagined such pain to see her in that state.
There was no reproach whatsoever from Grandma Andrea. Seeing him brought a smile on her face, accompanied by tears. Pablo kissed her and took her suffering, but gentle hands and caressed her for a moment. The scene had left him speechless. The old woman was connected to several machines that controlled oxygen and monitored her heartbeat. She also had an I.V. that administered medications, which had hurt her wrinkled hands to the point that she had bruises everywhere. The never-ending “beep-beep” of the machines made the moment more chilling.
The doctor suddenly entered the room.
“You must be her grandson Pablo!” said the doctor. “Your grandmother can’t stop talking about you. She said you’re a hero who has fought for a good cause, and every day she kept asking if you were here.”
“Yes, Doctor,” said Pablo. “I want to apologize for not being able to be here sooner, but circumstances didn’t allow me. What can you tell me about my grandmother?
“We have had difficult days,” said the doctor, “and I think your presence will be the best medicine. But I regret to say that diabetes can only be controlled by insulin, and apparently her heart is not pumping blood properly, either. We will receive the results of the analysis tomorrow. So for the time being, you all should rest. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. You can stay, but avoid emotional situations to
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