Dear Son,

The day that you see me old and I am already not in good health, have patience and try to understand me.

If I get dirty when eating, if I can not dress, have patience and remember the hours I spent teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I repeat the same things thousand and one times, do not interrupt me. When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story until you got to sleep. When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I invented, in order that you wanted to bathe. When you see my knowing little about new technologies, give me the necessary time and do not look at me with your mocking smile. I taught you how to do so many things: to eat good, to dress well, to confront life. ... When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous, as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you listening to me.

Try to understand that my age is not lived but survived. Some day you will discover that, despite my mistakes, I always wanted the best thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry or impotent for seeing me near you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you started living. Help me to walk, help me to end my way with love and patience. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you.

I love you, Son.

Your father