My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be
patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through. If
when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't
interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago"... Just
listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I
would read the same story night after night until you would fall
asleep.
When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass
me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and
trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?
When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new
technology,give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way
... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things
like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and
dealing with life's issues every day... the day you see I'm getting
old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to
understand what I'm going through.
If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the
time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or
arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for
me is to be with you.
And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as
before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you
when you first walked. When those days come, don't feel sad...
just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my
life with love. I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy
we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for
you, I just want to say, I love you ... my darling daughter.
Original text in Spanish and photo by Guillermo Peña.
Translation to English by Sergio Cadena
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