Lalo…

I would have to begin by saying it has been difficult to write something about my spiritual brother.

There’s a knot in my throat…

My story is long, intense, and beautiful.

When I met his it was years ago when Lalo came back from the US in 1980. One day Jorge told me we were going to see Lalo, his friend, of whom I had heard many stories. The “Monkee” was a friend of my sister Elena and it turned out he was Jorge’s best friend.

The moment I met him I knew who he was and how much I was going to love him.

And so began my friendship (or, rather, my kinship) with the man who would become an essential part of my life.

We began as brother and sister, which means we knew and loved each other as family. We’d have fights on the way to school (the Conservatory), we’d look after each other, and we told each other everything.

That continued throughout our history together; I’d tell him everything and he’d tell me everything.

He was by me during every event of my life.

And when I say every one, I mean every one…

I remember him in every moment of happiness and pain.

And for me he was always my pillar, my accomplice, my guide…

When my son, Daniel, was born he told me:

“I’ll be his Godfather and I’ll look after him for the rest of his life.”

And he made sure he kept his promise.

Later, he recruited several Godchildren like Isabel, Pablo and Beto.

I remember his periodic calls, where he’d say, “Estelita, how are you?”

And I’d start telling him everything and he’d listen… then he would tell me about himself, and I’d listen…

I remember all the times we sat together to drink some wine and talk. I miss being like that so much, an afternoon talking about everything, him and me…

Since I heard of his illness, for me every one of those instants was a treasure. I knew one day it would only be a memory to me and I saw he was doing so well; he was so hopeful, so whole I could hardly believe it.

I watched my dear Lalo and thought of the day he would no longer be with me.

How I cherish every instant of that time when I had the chance to be by him. Deep down he also knew it and that’s what made it so special.

He didn’t want to talk about it and I respected him to the last.

He was ready and that was his way of facing it.

At the end of his days, I told him, “You know how much I love you, right?”

And he told me: “I’ve always known, Estelita; from the day I met you.”

Now I dream of him and he comes back and he tells me… and I tell him…

Estela Miller