I am going to be somewhat personal today and write about my family, in particular, about my parents because thanks to them, I am where I am and I have achieved goals and dreams that I once thought unobtainable.
Today is May 5th. On a day like today, 53 years ago my parents got married in the First Cathedral of the Americas (first one in the new world, circa 1541). They had met through a mutual friend and fallen in love on a beach in the Dominican Republic, back in 1966. My father was on vacation on the island as he was finishing his specialty (he is a cardiologist) in Spain. My mother had graduated from UASD medical school and was starting her medical residency. Love letters were sent for an entire year, until when he returned to the Republic, they married, on May 5th, 1967.
Since then they have had their ups and downs like any other marriage but without a doubt, their love has overcome many barriers, obstacles and passed many difficulties in the beginning, trying to forge a better future for both them and their three children.
They had humble beginnings, having to live in part with one of their parents, my maternal grandmother, in a small place that my mother only told me the many hardships they encountered. Even with her first pregnancy, she still worked until the end seeing patients and the day she was ready to give birth, they took a public transportation to the hospital and received their long-awaited first-born. That year 1969 their first son was born, Ronaldo Pichardo. They did not own a vehicle, so through public transportation they mobilized in the city of Santo Domingo. Two years later my brother Asdrubal Pichardo, was born.
My parents are both doctors and I can only imagine how hard they had to work to sustain us and give us a better tomorrow. A Herculean task. Both gave consultations, classes at the university, being on duty and rounds until long hours of the nights. They had devotion (and still have it) to their trade.
When things were going well, then they built the house of their dreams and I was already in my mother's womb. So I arrived in the "golden" times or their better times since they were well established and had some recognition in my country as outstanding and respectable professionals in their respective specialties. And yes, they already had their own vehicle.
The truth is that I am very grateful to have the parents I have. Dedicated, loving, sacrificing for their children. They taught me to value many things in life and what matters. I also think that my brothers agree with me as they are men of good, hardworking and successful in their respective careers and have a beautiful, unified family. Not everything is perfect and we have had our differences throughout the years but what family does not have one! I could continue writing about their love and life story.
I love them and I really miss them. Happy anniversary💜.
With love and eternally grateful,
Your daughter,
Gabriela Pichardo-Lafontaine