By Fernando A. De León
I recently spoke with my late mother, Juana. The advanced technology of these times (ironically in the middle of the pandemic) took it, as a photo, to my battered room, in Manhattan, New York.
The surprising application called Deep Nostalgia, was the ideal vehicle that transferred it through my WhatsApp.
When he presented himself to me, he blinked, turned his face, looked me in the eye, and half smiled. I was stunned, and I think I felt a tachycardia. I pressed several times the photo that gave it life, and I told Juana various events and vicissitudes, after his death.
I did not bless that being that I simply always called Juana, because I lost that habit. But I thanked him for the principles and standards he instilled in me. However, I did not stop reproaching him that, despite that gratitude, I understand that he did not educate me to face this stormy contemporaneity.
I was sorry to tell her that she, a being who suffered so much when she came to Santo Domingo from her home, Sánchez, in Samaná, did not have the vision to prepare me for, after her departure, to unfold in today’s world.
I told him that his education, although with good intentions, may have been failed. I assured him that: “neither decency nor coherence, Juana, are admired by the majority of the people in the Dominican Republic ”.
“JuanaFrom your unknown world, start thinking that, if I now live in New York, practically in a ghetto, this is because in addition to being alone I did not have the guts to be corrupt; not even by omission “” There is a world over there that rejects people like me. ”
“And, when it is not like that, they are cynical; They say that one is vertical and coherent, but they hide that criterion very well; what’s more, many feel annoyed ”. “They claim that I am a misfit and conflictive.”
“I don’t know if I opted for the best, Juana”. “As I had many needs, and, at one time I was helpless, out of necessity, I opted for journalism.” “I considered that it was with the least effort I was going to make in financial resources and time.” “At least I was able to meet some needs.”
“JuanaI had to get involved in a very difficult environment where, as in almost all of our political-social strata, double standards and individualism persist; you’ll understand why I’m still living in New York ”.
“At least for the moment”. “This is due to how you educated me, and of course, to my principles of the left that disturbed you.” “I did not have the ability of others to get a home of my own or own property in Santo Domingo” “You know, I’m shy and clumsy to lobby.”
“I beg your pardon if I have reproached you for how you formed me but for your peace of mind, I must tell you not to commit a crime, I have been a good man.” “I pleased you and my late father, Carlitos (Callito) Pina; that satisfies me ”. So I said goodbye to the one who, in life, was a jealous and devoted mother; Juana Maria De Leon.
The author is a journalist, a member of the CDP in New York, where he resides.
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