I was born at the sixth month of my conception, rather than ninth. 900 grams. I spent my entire first year of my life inside an ICU for babies. My mom was told by the doctors I wouldn't make it, or that i would be deaf, blind, paraplegic, mentally damaged, and so much more. My lounges were particularly weak and were always at the brink of collapse. But my mom didn't give up, she never faltered. She would go, day and night, from doctor to doctor, to get me the best medical support she could get with as little resources as she had. Once I was out of the ICU, it was only the beginning. She would stay awake, sleeping only by small spans of half an hour, as I would sometimes "forget to breath" as she describes it. She would have to do certain massages to me to re-engage my lounges, to ensure I would keep breathing. She did this for months, never giving up. Death accompanied me through all those times, and much later into my life.
Arturo. One of the first words I learnt to say, years later, Arthur, in English. When I was once again in the brink of death, I spoke that name. My mom claims it was my angel, and that I had named it. I understand now it was not any angel, but death, gloming over me. Perhaps it took pity of me, perhaps it saw my mother's efforts and decided she deserved me to live. Or perhaps death does not choose when shall we depart, but merely comes to take us, when our time has come, and it was not my time.
Whichever the case may be, I endured. I am now a 27 yo person, perfectly healthy, in all senses of the word. No damage, physical or mental, no scars were left on me. I endured, thanks to my mom's efforts.
It saddens me I won't be able to do the same for her. Once she finally gets infected, I won't even be allowed to be there with her, and even less have the power to do anything for her. Perhaps if she decides to reject any treatment and stay at home instead, may I at least accompany her until it is the end... and then accompany her on the afterlife, as I take my life after her corpse is cold.
Arturo... dearest of all my friends... when our time has come, is it your call or you simply coming to your appointment... please do not delay. I will wait for you, my friend, and receive with the smile of seeing you once again... for the last time.
