contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

lorena riverolorena rivero Being Together88The Miracle of Livingwhen my mom realized I was on the way, it wasn’t good news for her.I felt it and it hurt; I was sad and angry all at once, but at the sametime it gave me the strength to keep going, the same strength that I didn’t knowI would desperately need in the near future.Everything seemed to be going well in the first trimester: The warmthof her womb made a wonderful home, while nature kept giving form to myexistence. Mom was taking care of herself for me, but most importantly, shewas getting used to having me with her all the time. How can I possibly put intowords all the love she gave me? I felt the care, love and warmth with each strokeof her hand over her belly, every time she told me how much she adored me andthat she was patiently waiting for my arrival to hug, kiss, and finally meet me.Oh, Mommy, you don’t know how happy you make me! I have loved you sincethe first day, without ever having seen your face; I know you, the most beautifuland sweetest mother of all.One day, while we were at the doctor’s office for a regular check-up andan amniotic exam, I felt really nervous and uneasy. Suddenly, faster than I couldrealize, something touched me. I felt a quick, sharp pain running through mybody, pain so intense it made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. I felt my heartbeatslowing down, and everything turning dark, almost like I was drowning indarkness. I heard voices, screams and crying from very far away; it was Mombegging me to fight to stay with her. But I felt myself getting weaker. For afew minutes, I couldn’t feel anything.I only knew my mom was trying withall her might to hold onto me, tellingme she loved me and all that I meantHow can IPOSSIBLY put intoWORDS the loveshe gave me?