Sra. Salazar met her husband when they were both around the age of 17. Friendship, a great one at that, sparked the beginning of a true love story that would last for more than forty years to date. Although both stood at squat 5'4'' statures, their passion for each other was inundating. Two children and three grand-kids later brought me to September 5th, a day that would mark the beginnings of my extranjero life in Barcelona. Initially, I had no idea that her husband was still living (a seemingly overt communication error on my part) until one day, I unlocked the door and found myself being introduced to Sr. Salazar. As it turned out, Sr. Salazar lived in another 'pueblo,' where he had constant medical treatment for cancer. Cigarettes became his kryptonite at a very young age.
November 5, 2009
Dear Journal,
I was not really sure if I was hearing right until I heard her subtle cry. A cry so native to me that I felt a direct hit to my heart - a similar hit I felt when the diagnosis of cancer was revealed to my queen. Not sure how to help or cope, I just simply was. I listened as she spoke in her rapid fire native tongue, "My husband's cancer has returned and it has grown. The doctors will administer more chemo, but they are not sure it will help much." At that very moment, decades and decades of unknown love passed through my head. The love and deep admiration between Sr. and Sra. Salazar. And then, I began to wonder, is the phrase "it's better to love and lose than to never love at all" completely accurate? I think so. As much as it would hurt and tear my heart to see my other half be taken away from me, something in my heart would still remain - the memories. Those endless memories of jubilation and even altercation would remain within my soul forever and although they would bring me to many, many tears, I would know inside, that I did indeed have something special. That I FOUND that 'one' that we always hear about as children; that once upon a time in a land far, far away, I FELL in LOVE. and more than anything, that's something very special to hold on to. NOTHING LASTS FOREVER and that is why if you have anyone in your life that you love or that you are not getting along with at the moment, find them, embrace them and simply say, " I Love You."
Prayers to everyone,
A prayer for ELLA,
One Love,
I love you family,
One Life,
Best Foot Forward,
AE
