Chapter 10: Open Heart

Sicily, Italy.

March 22, 1944

My beloved,

This slight distance is not the excuse to say my most sincere feeling I have towards you. However, being separated, makes me cling to the most beautiful feeling.

Your kisses that I feel, through your letters full of warmth, that seize my whole being without having had you. I feel that I have possessed you every time I look at the stars, walking on this cobbled, lonely terrain, clinging to your image; the one I carry so close to my heart.

Falling in love with you, makes this work that I love and that has taught me so much, that life is not just to pass or a dream. There was once, as one of the officers shared with us that soon his wife would have a baby, which made him live as every day, the love for his family. My love, here in this place one understands how much those who are near one are worth, and more my sweet heaven, I resemble you to the most beautiful flower that any mortal can have.

The enemy troops are getting closer. We have received help from more allies, who are present but the work is a lot. Illness and long hours of patrolling exhaust our forces. We have soldiers who left the countryside and its occupations, and people who are dying... We ask in prayers for a peace agreement, but the enemies are increasingly hostile. We have had to see women raped, children killed in the streets, for which I pray that we can return home. In this place the strongest is broken like a child, we just have to keep fighting.

The places we have arrived, the people have been gentle and we have had what we need like fresh, warm bread, like the one I used to have at home. How much I want to walk in the meadows and ride horses, as my grandfather taught me. Love of my soul, how much I have to share with you! To desire to hear that voice as soft, as the angels themselves. You are in my thoughts, in my dreams, and when I look into the distance, I sit you next to me, I embrace you so tightly until the air allows it.

Take care!

And I value the work you have with the orphans, how proud I am of you, and of the company that is La Condesa, Miss Helena as well as the little one who steals your attention and mine.

I have written so that the school of young ladies, can help you with this great work, just go to Mr. Efraín, delegate and director of the institution, he knows about you.

Always yours and who loves you, Patric.