Friends are very important in my life, although I have very few, those that God has given me are the best, people I can count on at all times, in good times and not so good, among these friendships I would like to introduce you to a very special lady, very humble, a friend with a big heart, very dear to my family, Mrs. Maria Barrientos, whom I affectionately call Vieja, with whom I have been friends for about 18 years.
Les cuento un poco como conocí a la Vieja, para el año 2004 apenas tenia un año viviendo acá en Carora, en una comunidad llamada San Vicente, donde actualmente vive mi papá y tres de mis hermanas, comencé a asistir a reuniones de consejos comunales, organizaciones de base comunitarias, encargadas de buscar mejoras a la comunidad, allí conocí a esta gran señora, quien también tenía poco tiempo viviendo en está comunidad, ya que gran parte de su vida la pasó en valencia, ciudad capital del estado Carabobo; una persona muy colaboradora y entregada al servicio de las comunidades, algo que me hizo acercarme a ella, ya que también me gusta ayudar en lo que puedo.
I tell you a little about how I met the Vieja, for the year 2004 I had just a year living here in Carora, in a community called San Vicente, where my dad and three of my sisters currently live, I began to attend meetings of community councils, community-based organizations, responsible for seeking improvements to the community, there I met this great lady, who also had little time living in this community, since much of his life was spent in Valencia, capital city of Carabobo state; a very collaborative and dedicated person to the service of the communities, something that made me approach her, since I also like to help in what I can.
En su casa funciona desde ese momento hasta la actualidad un comedor popular, que beneficia a los adultos mayores y a las personas de bajos recursos de la comunidad, para ese entonces recuerdo que nos reuníamos en la escuela que queda muy cerca de su casa a realizar actividades deportivas con los niños y adolescentes, ella siempre muy colaboradora nos llevaba una merienda para compartir, jugo, café, arepas, entre otras cosas; así poco a poco la amistad fue creciendo.
In her house, from that moment until today, there is a soup kitchen, which benefits the elderly and people of low income in the community, at that time I remember that we used to meet at the school that is very close to her house to do sports activities with children and adolescents, she was always very helpful and would bring us a snack to share, juice, coffee, arepas, among other things; so little by little the friendship was growing.
Cuando comencé a realizar mis pasantías solicite para servir en el ambulatorio de mi comunidad, ya que conocía muy de cerca a cada una de las personas y sus problemas de salud, aparte que ya muchos me conocían, me tenían el cariño y la confianza y me solicitaron que me fuera para nuestro sector; este ambulatorio queda muy cerca de la casa de la Vieja, ella nos visitaba, e invitaba a que fuéramos con el médico a realizar chequeos a los abuelos, siempre estábamos en contacto.
When I started my internship I asked to serve in the ambulatory of my community, since I knew very closely each of the people and their health problems, besides many already knew me, I had the affection and trust and asked me to go to our sector; this ambulatory is very close to the house of the Old woman, she visited us, and invited us to go with the doctor to make checkups to grandparents, we were always in contact.
Al terminar estas pasantías me fui a un rotar a un hospital, luego a realizar el articulo 8 en una zona rural y duré casi dos años sin verla, luego de graduarme regresé a conversar con mis amistades que me tendieron la mano en mi época de estudiante, algo que aprendí de mi padre es que siempre hay que ser agradecido, desde allí he estado presto a ayudar en su comedor cada vez que ella lo requiere; siempre nos hemos mantenido en contacto, es una bonita amistad que tenemos varios miembros de mi familia, ayer que estaba de cumpleaños le prepare un pequeño pastel y fui con mi esposa, mis 2 hijos y mi hermana Chiquín a cantarle el cumpleaños, pasamos un rato muy agradable y lo mas importante es que ella estaba muy contenta, ya que siempre me presenta como un hijo.
At the end of this internship I went to a hospital to rotate, then to do the article 8 in a rural area and I lasted almost two years without seeing her, after graduating I returned to talk to my friends who reached out to me in my student days, something I learned from my father is that you always have to be grateful, from there I have been ready to help in her dining room whenever she requires it; We have always kept in touch, it is a beautiful friendship that we have several members of my family, yesterday that was her birthday I prepared a small cake and went with my wife, my 2 children and my sister Chiquín to sing her birthday, we had a very nice time and the most important thing is that she was very happy, as she always presents me as a son.
Tener un amigo es un don, pero conservar un amigo es un privilegio, y doy gracias a Dios por tener el privilegio de contar con la amistad de la Vieja; por ahora se despide su amigo el Drhueso, hasta una nueva oportunidad.
To have a friend is a gift, but to keep a friend is a privilege, and I thank God for having the privilege of having the friendship of La Vieja; for now your friend Drhueso says goodbye, until a new opportunity.
Las imágenes son de mi propiedad, fueron tomadas con mi teléfono celular Tecno Spark 6 / The images are my property, they were taken with my Tecno Spark 6 cell phone.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
