One Pimple In Pubic Area

Our Lady of Donore (2)

This is the second installment of this tale, for the first please click here .

- ∞ -

the afternoon we had school but not studying. Had physical education class. Every day, even Saturday, without fail.

physical education teacher had a huge belly, which couples left chest. He was dressed in sweatshirt and wearing a whistle around his neck and Green Rosette Company. Those who lived in the valley were all donor or people of the Company. The tourists were never more than a day to day and the pilgrims if they spent a week was a lot.

Every day we gave him twenty laps to the field. Marching to anything we could, but never ran. "Running hurts my knees." We told the teacher. "We do not want bad knees, right?"

Al single in my class that was left running at Mocho. We all watched with envy when we went flying with aluminum legs and recycled polystyrene.

I would have liked to play football, as players we saw on television, or leaving children in the movies. But do not leaving. "You can break a leg or even make an eye. With an eye to what it costs today! "

let us play ball, but it was a very different football. We had to put on a helmet and goggles, also kneepads, elbow pads and a padded vest. Could hardly move. But it was what we could play.

- ∞ -

remember one evening that it had rained and I was muddy uniform, even the glasses and helmet. Upon arriving home, I heard voices in the room, several women were talking quietly. I went and saw my mother, kneeling before the altar of Our Lady.

None of the houses in the valley could not miss the shrine to the Virgin of Donora. The mom was stuck in the wall around the unspoiled, photographs of each of my brothers and sisters, was also mine. We kept two candles burning of large on both sides of the image.

A neighbor had a rosary in his hand. Prayed aloud and the other ladies will respond. All were dressed in black.

"Oh pain, pain, pain,
for my son and my Lord!

I am that Mary was descended from David. "

was the ninth of the virgin. Mom

reached me and gave me the news. My brother Braulio had left that morning with two of my brothers to the health post. Iban to become bone marrow extraction. It was a matter of routine, every year had to be done at least once, since he was twelve men and women from fourteen.

"He told me that the Lord Gabriel
was with me and let me
homeless
bitter as gall. "

" The operation was complicated, "he said softly, almost whispering," He gave a thrombus. He was the brain and no longer woke up. " Mom's eyes were red and flushed face.

"He told me I was blessed among all women born
,
and am aching
the most sad and distressed."

One lady, the neighbor upstairs, approached us and said something my mom's ear. I did not manage to understand. "No, quiet. I here I have one. "I said my Mom. "My kids gave me last Christmas." He opened a little drawer in the table of the altar and took out a black velvet lined box. Inside was a hammer and chisel, two silver and decorated with carvings.

"Say, men who run about
via worldly

tell me if you have seen the same pain my bad."

Mom went to the statue of the Virgin. The child was missing a foot and entire right arm. Mom took a chisel and hammer and a blow knocked off the fingers of the other foot. Then he stood up and blew on each of the candles. The flames were extinguished and were two strands of gray smoke.

And you who have fathers, sons and husbands,
help me with my complaints,
better if you can not. "

" Oh, boy! That was the fate of the Virgin Mary, give up his son in sacrifice. And that is the fate of us mothers. Have and have children, one after another. And then deliver them to the surgeon's knife. At least not me Braulio died young. We must be thankful that he could live to be seventeen. "

I was thinking about something else and finally asked," Mom, what is a husband? "

- ∞ -

Two weeks passed and got the notification of the Company. Braulio With the death of the family had met its annual quota. At least until January would not have to decide who would take the next kidney, or pancreas, or lung. We even played a bonus. And the Company had made the deposit to the account of mother.

next day we went to the mall and all weekend premieres. I was very happy with my new sneakers, red and black with silver ribbons.

- ∞ -

( continue )