It was August 2013, and Josue (my brother) knew that for certain it was the start of something unplanned. His girlfriend had just passed away two months before and now, his 1 year old daughter was taken away from his arms.
Two years and a half later (after having started the process), my brother is going to have the opportunity to defend his right to have his daughter with him (this is happening right now). I have no words to describe this and the only question that I would have liked to be answered is: when will justice take its place?
I have remained silent to my brother. I could think of many questions for him. I only chose to pray for him so that he could find the strength that he needed and still needs. And just as I have found God becomes real by listening to the words of encouragement of my mother, I know he has, too.
Sigh. And again… sigh. I have seen other parents on the park, on the streets, walking hand to hand with their children. On the bike. On the supermarket choosing their candies or toys. Their tantrums might be a headache but even giving discipline is the way to love them.
I could not imagine being a father and missing the first word of my daughter, her first step, her first day of school, her crying and her laughter and staring at her as she sleeps. But I hope, deep in my heart, that all these moments my brother and his daughter missed will be replaced by other beautiful moments that will make them just as happy as they should be, together.
(VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL)
Era agosto de 2013, y Josué sabía que era muy seguramente el comienzo de algo no planificado. Su enamorada había fallecido dos meses antes y ahora, su hija de 1 año era alejada de sus brazos.
Dos años y medio después (después de haber comenzado el juicio), mi hermano tiene la oportunidad de defender el derecho de estar con su hija (esto sucede ahora mismo). No tengo palabras para describir esto y la única pregunta que siempre he querido que sea respondida es: ¿cuándo tomará la justicia su lugar?
He permanecido en silencio con mi hermano. Pensé en muchas preguntas. Pero solo opté por orar para que él encontrara la fuerza que necesitaba y que aún necesita. Y así como yo encontré a Dios real a través de las palabras de aliento de mi madre, sé que él también lo ha encontrado real.
Suspiro y otra vez… suspiro. He visto a padres en el parque, en la calle, caminando de la mano con sus hijos. En la bici. En el supermercado, escogiendo dulces o juguetes. Sus berrinches deben ser un dolor de cabeza y aún dar disciplina es una forma de mostrar amor.
No puedo imaginar ser padre y perderme la primera palabra de mi hija, su primer paso, su primer día de escuela, su lloro y su risa o contemplarala mientras duerme. Sin embargo, espero, en lo profundo de mi corazón, que todos esos momentos que mi hermano y su hija se han perdido, sean reemplazados por otros momentos hermosos que les haga tan felices como deben ser, juntos.
Migratory Bird 