We will all sooner or later get old. It’s simply inevitable. All one can hope is that the journey until one’s final moments are filled with pleasurable memories and moments that can be cherished forever. If one is lucky enough to have children, those final moments will hopefully be filled with pleasant company and love. One mother describes the final moments in a moving way in a really beautiful letter, and I just had to share it. In it, she asks her daughter to stay patient with her as she ages, to remember sacrifices she may have made in life as her mom, and reminds her that she will always love her. I think everybody – but especially mothers and daughters – can really appreciate this letter. Please pass it on to everyone dear to you today.
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 by Guillermo Peña.
Translation to English by Sergio Cadena
Please share this with all the people you love in life.
