I don't know at what point, or I haven't been able to understand or figure out at what point in time things started to change, I look back, seeing months, or even years, and what I can see and say with total firmness and security, is that I see you, yes you, that man who has been an example, a source of inspiration, a shoulder on whom I can lean on in the hard and difficult days, you were the one who protected my brothers and me when we were children, it was you who helped us take our first steps, to say our first words, it was you who defended us, who gave us shelter and warmth on cloudy and desolate days where you could only feel the air of bitterness blowing by our faces…
Every time I had problems at school, you were there, you were always there to defend me when I was accused of something for no reason, but you were also always there pointing out the mistakes I made and the mistakes I made, because you were working to mold a man of good, to a man responsible for his actions and who did not run away at the first difficulty or the first adversity, there you were by my side, walking together, where in each step we took you gave me advice for life, you guided me to get away from vices and temptations…
Sometimes with harsh and strong scolding you marked my mistakes, my rudeness, I in the natural immaturity of any child could not see the real depth that your actions had, I was trapped in my world thinking that you did not love me, I came to you to cross out as a "bad father", but time worked, did its work, took the blindfold off my eyes, but not in a friendly or affectionate way, but rather, with trips, falls and blows, that's the only way I started to understand every word that you came to say to me, every advice that left your mind and heart trying to enter my heart and mind, with the intention of finding a new home where it could germinate and flourish, because that was, is and will be the greatest inheritance that a father can inherit to his offspring, values.
I turned to see you, strong as an oak and hard as steel, that's more or less how I saw you when I was a child... The years do not pass in vain, we all grow and age, now my dear old man, we are your children who must take care of you, just like you did when we were children, you didn't care about functions, sometimes you would get up in the morning if you heard us cry, or if you saw us sick or sick, there you were, taking us to the hospital in the wee hours of dawn… Now taking care of you and protecting you are our duties as children…
Thank you dad because more than with words, with the example of day to day you taught me what it is to be a man, with your actions and daily behavior you taught me that a man protects and fights for his family even if he is without strength because strength truth lies within the soul that is ignited by the gaze of its children and life partner, thank you because with your example you have taught me how to treat women, the respect that is due to the being that is capable of giving life because we all come from a woman… You have taught me how to treat the person who is chosen as a companion for life and adventures because you have treated my mother with more clamor, courage, and dedication than a queen is treated, I mean, how many times have we not heard out there in the distance of the cosmos people say "treat her like a queen"? No, gentlemen, my father taught me that this phrase is very short, it has no meaning because the woman who is chosen as a companion must be loved and respected more every day, her well-being must be sought in all the extension that this word understands. Well, what do luxuries and jewels matter, when you lack the dedication of the heart, soul and spirit.
Today I see you not like when I was a child, today I see you even stronger, more determined and with more desire and courage to fight, today you fight with more fervor, you cling to fight, you do not give up, because this is what life has taught you, life itself was your greatest teacher, that is why today you are the man that I admire, respect and love so much...
You have had to go through several hard times in your life, both physical, health, and emotional, you have lived through situations in which many people would have already thrown in the towel, but you have not given up, you have not given up, because it is not within of your options, it is not in your vocabulary and that is why I admire you so much because you are teaching me how to fight, get up, heal the wounds, and continue fighting forward, because every time life has brought you to your knees, bending without any mercy, you have risen, because it never broke you, nor will it ever...
These months, both for your wife and for your children, have been stormy, but I am sure that it does not compare to what you have experienced firsthand, yes, we have experienced storms, in the midst of the fog that obscures the beauty of life. I don't even want to imagine the hell you are going through in the dark, the fears and demons that await the precise moment to be present and torture you...
But do you know something, my father? Inside that dark hell through which you find yourself walking today and fighting against how much fear crosses you, I know that you will get out of there, because you have had enough courage to walk and continue advancing, and if you have reached this moment with setbacks, wounds, and anguish, I am sure that you will be able to come out of that damned hell, maybe you will come out dragging yourself, badly injured, but with a force that no other human being is capable of conceiving... And at the end of the tunnel, you will be a wiser and stronger man... You cannot imagine how much I admire the dedication you have shown, nor how much I venerate the fight you are doing today... You have taught me to fight and not give up...
I do not know when this nightmare will end, much less do I know how we will get out of it, but I am totally certain that we will come out more united as the great little family that we have always been... In the same way, I do not know the day that you will be able to read this letter that I am writing to you from Deep inside of me, however, I know that day will come…
Today more than asking God, I want to thank him, because he blessed me with the best guardian angel he has, my father, thank you Lord for allowing me to be the son of who I am...
I love you dad and thank you God
Jorge Arturo Vedolla Colin