ciadoncha; ¡cuántos recuerdos - Webpages at SCU - Santa Clara ...

grandchildren defend themselves in a world that they never came to imagine and where
they can feel more secure, supposing it is in the town that saw them born.
It is not few that have celebrated their Golden anniversary in Ciadoncha. There
are still many families that are fortunate to have their father and mother alive when they
reach fifty years of marriage. The majority celebrate this even with their children and
close relatives. Some institutions, like savings banks, also give them some kind of
special recognition.
Ángel Varona and Genara Madrid celebrating 50 years of marriage
with their wedding godparents, Luz Porres and Pablo Galiana. 1995
Photo provided by Petra Varona
In Ciadoncha there remains a few elders and perhaps the most difficult thing for
them is the winter cold. That is why many go to their children’s house in Burgos during
this time of year, but as soon as they can, they return to the town because that is where
their roots are. That is where they have left their memories and it is there where they like
to be the most. When they are in the town, life returns to them. They see their friends,
they play cards, dominos, go out to enjoy the sun, and breathe in the fresh and pure air
that they miss so much when they are in the large cities.
For me, the elders are the symbol of Ciadoncha. Ciadoncha is the same to themold
and wasted, with some modern patches that maintain it, just as the canes and crutches
sustains the elders. Ciadoncha is always smiling, welcoming, full of caress and scorn,
because Ciadoncha, like every mother, loves and forgives all of her children the same.
Also in the town there is a group of adults that really sustain it. If it were not for
them, no one would be able to sell each week, they would not have medical services or
mail services. This is the group that still goes to church on Sundays, like ordinary times.
The bar opens for them and thanks to them the town has not died. The question they ask
themselves is: “How much longer will we be here?”
The theme of death is difficult for everyone and the theme itself did not appear in
the pleasing memories of life in Ciadoncha. Nevertheless, many remembered happily
people that have died and commented on their death and the funeral. What the
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