In the
following passage, the elderly curandera Rafaela meets with Barry Sullivan in a
barrio tavern. He is just beginning to
face difficult choices ahead. She speaks of parents as the bridge from heaven
to earth-- a sentimental, yet powerful picture of the vulnerability of children
in the world. Adults must stand on this bridge between heaven and earth as the
Guardians of childhood.
“You
might be done with the saints, but they aren’t done with you. They yearn for
you to wake up to your responsibility. You wait on a bridge between heaven and
everything else—spanning dangerous waters. Like the guardian angel.”
The
room chilled around Barry, as he remembered the picture Ma gave
Ceci.
“From the moment of conception, Barry, our purpose is to guard our children
from harm. Every parent is to be a bridge between heaven and earth. A child
only knows heaven. Crossing into the world with all its trouble, the child is
in peril. The parent is like that guardian angel, offering a hand to guide the
child over the broken places. Our love makes it up to them for having to leave
heaven.”
“How—how can a lousy, no-good man do the work of an angel?”
“Full intention, Barry, that’s what it takes. You can’t be a parent part-time.”
“That’s the same axe Carmen grinds. Listen, I have to work, Rafaela!”
“Everyone works, but not so far from their children. Until Cecilita is stronger
she needs you close by.” She tapped her heart. “Right here! Later, she will be
strong enough for you to go sometimes. Please stay with her now, amigo.
Care for your daughter. Help her heal. . .not from a distance, but
close up!”
Sometimes people have stopped reading because there are hard parts in the story. I encourage friends to keep reading. There is redemption in the character arc. Barry has a lot of growing up to do before he can help his daughter. Sometimes the child is the catalyst for a lot of growth in a man. I say, "Man up, Barry Sullivan! Man up!"
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