ON MY HELEN´S BIRTHDAY

 

Dearest, this 20th of May could not reach you since I was away in la Costa but I thought of you and prayed. Sending good vibrations and positive energy. I was watching the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan. Very posh and full of class. That is the England I love.

 May the Lord keep you in good health and calm near your beautiful mother, Lady Suzanne and all the people you love and appreciate.

I gave instructions to Almu, Henar, and Cristina to felicitate you on my behalf. Hope they did.

Time pass quick, my little one. As the classic say "Fluunt dies et irrepàrabilis vita decurrit" (days flow and life runs without remedy). It seems to me it was practically yesterday and 48 years have gone that long day in Westowcroft in the Yorkshire dales when you came to the world at sunset and Doctor Isherwood[1] called me to say "Mr Parra, you have had a beautiful daughter" I had the privilege of giving to you the first kiss of welcome to this world then I went to see mother who was in great pain due to the stitches and suffocated by chloroform.

Then came your grandparents who took me to Wilberfoss. We arrived to our bungalow at 11PM and there was still light in the village and certain peace and melancholy. Quiet place under the drizzle.

My memories are vivid. Now old man I am full of compunction and sorrow. I will one day however go to London to visit the tomb of Mr. Hugh and his wife Mary Joseph to cry and ask for forgiveness. Be happy, little Pickle. And many happy returns, my beauty. Congratulations to you and your mother who gave birthday to my Helen beautiful creature, the great big love of my life.

 

PS: Since I don't know your address and phone I use my blog to convey the greeting to his English daughter this old and poor Spaniard.

 

 

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[1] He was the brother of a famous English poet, friend of Auden and Eric Blair