Joy, Fear, Confidence, Anger, Sadness, Friendship, Disgust Calm, Surprise, Shame, Enmity, Anticipation, Compassion, Kindness, Envy, Emulation, Contempt, Gratitude, Admiration, Pride, Jealousy, Sympathy, Obfuscation, Irritation…
At the age of 7 I liked to run in the backyard of my parents’ house, where there were many big trees. My father liked to plant fruit trees and harvest vegetables. I perfectly remember that at the end of the patio there was a jocotes tree, cashew tree, guava tree and there was also my favorite tree, the tallest and most imposing mango tree that my young eyes enjoyed observing; whose branches were fill with güisquil, loroco and pashte (luffa or scourer) vines.
Before attending Kindergarten, I had already learned to read, although it seems hard to believe that it was true. My mother had a business where she sold all kinds of books and magazines. The books included a wide variety of topics; love, fiction, romance, documentaries, history, politics, nature, science, and all kinds of picture books, which allowed me to enter a world full of fantasy, emotions, and knowledge.
The cold morning wind moved gently in all directions over Lark’s body, which shuddered when the wind touched her skin, giving her the chills. The songbirds were heard in the surrounding environment and the first rays of the sun hit Lark’s face, hurting her closed eyes; forcing her into opening her sleepy eyelids that had been crusted shut by the small droplets of salty water that had remained between her eyes after she had shed many tears.
Lark was silent while Hilda stroked her hair and wet it with the tears of pain that flowed from her eyes because of the suffering that was reflected on Lark’s face. Hilda did not say anything either, since she also suffered when she saw that Lark’s eyes lacked their own light, overshadowed by an immense sadness that came from the depths of her heart. Both were wrapped in a silence that did not need to be interrupted with words because they understood each other through the feeling of Hilda’s love, communicating directly heart to heart.
As you read the title of this publication, you may be focusing on the business, academic or economic aspects of your and come to assume that you are going to read about how to achieve success and prosperity in the different projects that you have undertaken.
But this time I want to ask you to focus when reading this publication on how to achieve success within yourself; spiritually, physically, intellectually, and emotionally to feel protected from the pandemic and to keep the good spirit in your life amid new restrictions, norms and laws that are protecting our health in the most normal way possible.
Feeling unprotected, humiliated, and suffering intense physical and emotional pain, Lark lay on the ground all night, mourning her unfortunate situation, while her whole being yearned for the warmth of her father’s house and Hilda’s arms, where she always founds love and comfort. Lark yearned for the happiness she always received through her family.
With a smile on her lips, Lark woke up. Having felt love for the first time, her chest burned with happiness. The night before she had been very emotional. Her voice captivating the Jutiapa audience who applauded each of her songs.
Feeling that the air is missing, the lack of your voice unleashes fear inside me. The anxiety of having lost you so suddenly has doubled, invading my chest with pain. I can’t breathe! My tears close my throat, my senses drowned, inflamed by your memory.
The wind was blowing very hard, knocking over objects, making many hats fall off people’s heads and roll as they hit the ground, revealing the ruffled hairs of their owners. Men in jeans walked proudly showing off their best pair of well-polished boots. Women wore well-applied make up, perfume, and their best dresses in bright colors which outlined their figures when walking. The atmosphere was full of laughter, flirtation, puppy-love, and the disposition to enjoy the fair. Nobody cared that the tin roof sheets resounded with a crash every time they were tossed by the wind. Suddenly, the rain fell cruelly on the entire town of Jutiapa and the people who were in the field of the fair ran in different directions, trying to find a place to protect themselves from the rain so as not to get wet.
Lark went to sleep that midnight with a smile on her lips and joy in her heart. The satisfaction she felt for having won the singing contest made her thoughts race, as she remembered how the audience applauded her with admiration and gave her a standing ovation as a show of respect. Lark stayed awake watching the moon through the window of the truck cab until her fatigue overcame her, forcing her to fall asleep deeply.
