The arrival of my sweet Ernesto de Jesús

r i r v a al of e h T

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El proceso de escritura en Soy Autor ha demostrado ir The allá, writing process in en Soy una Autor evoques an authentic más al convertirse experiencia auténtica de experience of self discovery. The following piece is the auto descubrimiento. La presente obra es el resultado result of the collaborative work between students and del trabajo colaborativo entre estudiantes y docentes, teachers to find the hear t of the story, through the para encontrar el corazón de su historia y reflejarla en publication of their first illustrated Memoir. su primer memoir ilustrado.

With the support of:

En colaboración con:

Embajada de los Estados Unidos El Salvador

The arrivalde ofmi mytierno sweet Ernesto JesĂşs La llegada Ernersto dede JesĂşs

Xenia Leonor Lino Tobar

In the stairs of a grey corridor I felt a whirlwind passing through my summer, so I sat down and waited.

My nerves were bursting and I asked for a pregnancy test. My heart was beating like if I had a hungry lion right in front of me.

Cold as an iceberg, my heart filled with fear.

At the knowledge of the test being positive, I was afraid‌ of losing it again.

Months after I felt his presence in my body. The sickness and the weight loss were there as usual.

Days later, my appointment was due. My first ultrasound. My palms were sweaty and my heart was beating fast because I didn’t know if he was alright.

Happy and filled with joy‌ he was a champion.

He made it this time!

Each day with him was different. His particular choices with food and smells. I saw my body consume and my womb grow.

I looked like a gecko.

Another ultrasound was on my way and it only got worst. My nerves, my worst enemies, because I was afraid of him‌ dying.

Lucky me, I got to see his little fingers formed and every movement felt like a tiny hurricane inside me.

Months went by and he grew.

Beautiful!

His heart was beating hard and my tissue, bulgy.

His movements increased and I wasn’t able to sleep.

I repeated: “You are strong, you are a champion”.

“I will wait every day for you”.

Time was due. My tired face, my weakened body that wasn’t able of a single more step. My beautiful baby was only waiting for tearing the membranes apart.

I waited for this moment.

No!!

Days passed, even weeks and not a single pain was caused because he was comfortable like one of those sleepy bears. He didn´t want to be born.

Oh, God‌ Make him born now!

42.

At 42 weeks of gestation it was obvious that the time was due and that little Ernie didn’t want to be born. After several appointments I was admitted in the hospital.

“It´s for the best”- I kept saying over and over.

Finally!

Finally! Ernie. A baby boy. He looked like a sleeping polar bear.

He weighed 8.7 grams.

He was beautiful...He IS beautiful.

Thanks, God for my tender Ernesto de Jesús.

I Loveyoucito [1]

[1] The original word was “Te amocito”, an informal but cute way of saying “I love you”. In a very salvadoran way of speaking the “-ito” syllable is often used to denote that something is small: Pequeñito (very small), but, paradoxically, it can also be used as hyperbolize to something.

My Xenia Mename llamois Betty

My family name is Tobar

Mi familia es de apellido Hernández Rodríguez I’m friendly and a little mean

Soy amigable, curiosa y un poco amable My sister is Soledad

HermanaI de Patricia, Dinora, Delmi, Melissa, grew up withMirna, a grumpy grandmother, Julissa who was always full of candies

I grew up inentre Soyapango cityde adobe y amor Crecí entre la naturaleza, paredes I would like to rest and see the days pass by En la ciudad de La Palma, Chalatenango I feel caged, I feel the need to run

Me gusta aprender, divertirme y escribir

I give the world my moments of happiness and peace

Menot siento y nerviosa I’m afraid of beingcontenta happy and peaceful ever again.

Le regalo al mundo mis ganas de luchar Me da miedo perder lo que más amo Me gustaría ver a mis papás y a mi hijo Soy Betty y soy luchadora.