Talking about age


And since that birthday, so long ago, the rest followed… one after the other, like if it were a parade in fast-forward


El balcón Neira, Caldas, Colombia
The balcony          Neira, Caldas, Colombia

“And, do you realize how special this birthday of yours is?”

“Not really, sir. It feels very much like all the rest, except for a small difference, if you consider that I’m a bit older.”

Bicicletas Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia
Bicycles          Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia

“No, my son. This is the last year in which you can describe your age with only one digit. After your next birthday, and until you’re ninety-nine (let’s hope you make it, and well, also) you’ll need two numbers to say how old you are. More than that, you’ll have become a man. A young man, certainly, but a man, none the less. From then on, you start a new life, and you say goodbye to childhood. That same childhood that flies by so quickly.”

Magnifico listened to his father’s words, attentively. Meanwhile, his Dad was delicately carved a cheese with his favourite knife, the one he always kept safely in his pouch.

La bicicleta Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia
The bicycle         Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia

“You see, I was a bit old, when I got married… already well into my sixteenth birthday at the time, yes sir. Seems to me, and to tell the truth of it; you’ll probably live in your own house, with your own woman at your side, by the time you’re fourteen or maybe fifteen at the most. Also, I guess we both know how that woman will be, don’t we, son? Later, almost right away, before you even realize it, you’ll have your own kids. The way I figure it, that’s life, always moving on!”

As Camila came to mind, and he pictured her face in his imagination, the young boy flushed. But also, at the same time he felt a rush of warmth invade his very soul.

Vista de la ciudad Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
City view         Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

 

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     ©  All photos by edudelcorral


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