Pedrito’s Diary, Day 18
February 8, 2025
I tried to sleep, as Mama told me in my dream several days ago. I couldn’t fall asleep for a long time. I was too cold. The blanket was too small and thin to keep me warm. I was very hungry. There just was never enough food. I was too thirsty. Our shared water was running out. My body was aching so much from sitting on the concrete every day and lying on it every night. Then there was the toilet problem. I was praying each night that I wouldn’t need to go to the boulder.
I thought of Mama’s yummy food and homemade bread for each of our meals, and the special desserts she baked for us for the weekends. I could smell the sweet warm milk that Mama would make for us at nighttime after reading us a bedtime story. Papa would then come into our room and say the same thing every night: “Buenas noches a los dos. ¡Sueño profundo! ¡No dejes que te piquen las chinches!” (Good night, you two. Sleep tight! Don’t let the bed bugs bite!)
I miss my home. I miss it so very much. I miss my baby sister, Gabriela. I miss my parents’ hugs and kisses. I miss their arms around me, their gentle touch and kisses on my forehead and cheeks so much that I want to just cry and cry and cry.
© hülya n. yılmaz, February 19, 2025
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