For days the Spaniards have our hearts in a fist with the disappearance of Gabriel Cruz, the "pescaíto" of Níjar. Yesterday we learned of the worst of the news, an end that we begged not to come: his body was found lifeless. He was only eight years old (like my youngest daughter), he was a "pretty" child (as his mother used to say), he was innocent, smiling, cheerful, affectionate and loving the sea. Impossible not to want it.
It was also impossible not to imagine for a moment in the skin of those parents. That a child is lost or disappears is the worst nightmare for those of us who are parents, and although it is impossible to feel what they felt, we all somehow were with Patricia and Ángel. Parents separated, but always united, devastated, sad, exhausted, but not losing hope of finding their little fish. Until yesterday all hope was taken away. A sad outcome that hurts especially those of us who are parents.
A wave of solidarity
From the first moment, since the boy disappeared when he went from his grandmother's house to that of his cousins, everyone turned to that family, with those parents. Security forces, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers who wanted to help as much as possible to find it. A sea of people who mobilized for Gabriel. The solidarity of the people is touching When something like this happens.
An entire country is moved, but who we are parents touches us in a special way. We think they are things that happen to others, until cases like this make us see that it can happen to anyone. Any of us could be those desperate parents who become the focus of the media without wanting it for the worst of reasons.
As parents it hurts ...
As parents, it hurts us especially that a child like Gabriel, without any fault, a child like any of our children, I felt fear.
It hurts us especially that a child with a lifetime ahead, his dreams have been truncated.
It hurts us especially that have suffered, that someone has even thought of hurting him, that he planned something so cruel. Why?
It hurts us especially that who was supposed to take care of it and protect it, (allegedly) it took his life.
This tragedy hurts us especially because our children are our greatest treasure. We see them so helpless and in need of protection that how someone would not protect them. We do not understand.
It hurts us especially because something broke inside us who we are parents when we learned that Gabriel would not smile again.
It hurts us especially because we are lucky to be able to hug, kiss our children and tell them how much we love them. Something that Patricia and Angel, unfortunately, can no longer do again.
Nothing will be the same
The life of that family has turned around. There is a before and after that fateful Tuesday in which Gabriel disappeared. And of course, after yesterday's blow when he met the most terrible news that some parents can receive. Nothing will be the same.
The mother said in an interview something that moved me: that she has "to learn to walk again. I don't know how I am going to do it, but I have the warmth and affection of many people. I will try to turn this around."
Perhaps, one day your little fish "that has wings" (I have seen it on a sign and I liked it so much) gives them the strength to transform all that pain into something positive.
Meanwhile, We all cry for Gabriel. We are all Gabriel.
