2020 is over, one of the strangest years of our lives. I would say, without a second’s hesitation, that the strangest of mine. And we begin 2021 with a fundamental lesson: live the moment. As the classic writers said: «carpe diem».
And the fact is that if the year we have left behind has taught us one thing, it is that something that we never thought could happen (such as a global pandemic) could come into our lives to derail our short-term plans. For some, unfortunately, forever… Who would have thought that we would hardly have contact with our elders for fear of infecting them, and with the fear –at the same time– that we would not see them again. That for months we could not leave the house, or work, or see our family and friends, that we could not travel, neither go out for drinks or dinner. That the parties would end, the popular festivals, the night drinks… And focusing more on my own, that that wedding that we had been organizing for more than a year was not going to be able to hold, that there would be no family meeting, nor honeymoon. And who knows when and how it will be…
And all these reflections that I share with you today, reminded me of a poem that I saw time ago on the internet and that I had saved in my folder of interesting things. I do not know the author, but here I copy it because it seems very appropriate for the times that run. Make your bucket list and do not leave anything for tomorrow. Do not keep brand new clothes for “that” special occasion, nor stop making that pending call. Because then it’s too late…
Después te llamo. // I will call you later.
Después lo hago. // I will do it later.
Después lo digo. // I will say it later.
Después yo cambio. // I will change later.
Dejamos todo para después, // We leave everything for later,
como si el después fuese lo mejor, // as if “the after” was the best,
porque no entendemos que… // because we do not understand that…
Después el café se enfría. // Then the coffee gets cold.
Después la prioridad cambia. // Then the priority changes.
Después el encanto se pierde. // Then the charm is lost.
Después temprano se convierte en tarde. // Then early turns into late.
Después la añoranza pasa. // Then the longing passes.
Después las cosas cambian. // Then things change.
Después los hijos crecen. // Then the children grow up.
Después la gente envejece. // Then people get old.
Después el día es noche. // Then the day is night.
Después la vida se acaba… // Then life ends…
(Own translation).