When dusk falls it’s the hardest part. The darkness, the silence, the lack of people. It used to be a full house. When I came home from work, it might be dark outside, but all the lights would be on; Mimi busying herself in the kitchen, preparing dinner, and the boys in their rooms, studying or getting ready for their rugby training. Occasionally they would be in the living room watching something on TV, or with friends who …
Tag: empty
A year ago, on this very day, as pilgrims among the thousands that filled the Sanctuary of Fátima, not even in our wildest dreams – or rather nightmares – could we have imagined a day like today. The empty sanctuary Last year, like the year before, May 13 was an explosion of faith, of light. Last year it was a warm, sunny day, more like Summer than Spring. We talked, we prayed, we cried, we thanked, we begged, we …
She slowly wakes up, letting herself linger in that wonderful dimension between worlds where everything is allowed and dreams of the past and future are real for as long as it lasts. Then, as she gains conscience, faces and places fade away and she opens her eyes to the small rays of sunshine that peep through the blinds. By her side, on her huge double bed, there is no one, but she does not feel lonely. She feels …
Day fifteen. It seems a lifetime since we had our normal life. Since Mimi came in the mornings and we chatted while I had breakfast, discussing what she should cook for dinner and the latest news. Afonso had been home in the last two months because of his operation and Pedro usually had classes later so when I left for work, they would both still be sleeping. We had a tough time, yes, because of the boy’s injuries during …
