Thanks

Diego's way of saying Thanks. Guatemala my second home 2011. I miss all of you

To you

Why?

When I had to say goodbye to the girl that may have been “The One”, I never thought that a farewell could be so brief and I never believed that it was forever. A few months ago when I had to say goodbye to the country that had been my second home, I couldn’t hold my tears back. When I had my last conference call with Astrid and Alejandra, two of my most faithful collaborators in Central America, to say that everything was over were so difficult. I could never feel faith in my work again like I had felt it with them, and it was so hard for me not only to find the words but also to articulate them. Several years ago when my grandmother said goodbye to everyone forever I couldn’t avoid feeling anger at the loss of a good friend. Yesterday I wrote in my previous post: “Nowadays when everything looks lacklustre, when a big crisis hits us without mercy . . .” And now I wonder: do you think it is time to say thanks?

The reason

Tagore said: "Thank the flame for its light, but do not forget the lamp holder standing in the shade with constancy of patience." Light and darkness are part of the same reality. The same way that bombs and acts of embracing are around us. But a bomb makes more noise than a thousand acts of embracing, however caressing wins for majority. Things that happen are not good or bad in themselves. How can we learn from them? Perhaps that is the question. Every single moment is a good moment to write down the list of things for which we must give thanks.  If we are honest with ourselves, the list is very extensive. The beautiful drawing that Diego, the doctor’s son, had drawn for me, the bottles of rum I received as a present, and every single detail shows us the power of saying thanks and how inexpensive it is.

Finally

I am finding a lot of things for which I must give thanks; thanks to those who are reading this right now, to my mother, because in Spain today it is Mother’s Day, family, good friends, interesting books, music, pictures, the list is so extensive. This stupid crisis is forcing me to face my fears and to discover new opportunities. My grandmother wrote a beautiful poem to me and every time I read it I can feel her presence besides me. I am still in contact with Alejandra and Astrid and I am sure that we’ll meet each other soon. Some of the good friends I had left in Guatemala have been visiting me in Spain and they will continue doing so in the future. And what to say about her? I’m almost sure that we will never meet each other again and it will be so difficult to keep in touch. In a few weeks she will be nothing but a sweet dream. Anyway she will never know it, but her inspiration sparked something inside of me and it is turning out to be my most powerful ally. Thank you very much for everything.