When did I begin to write, “I Live In Chile?”
It took me twelve years to write this book. The book began writing itself, in my heart, before I was even aware that I was, “writing a book.” This kind of book, a memoir, must be lived before it is written. And before it is written, there must be some alignment of the stars in heaven to make such a book a reality.
The alignment of the stars in heaven are two singular events. One is technology, which permits me to write, publish and promote my own book. The other is the revolution in the publishing industry which gives self-published authors like me the opportunity denied previous generations of talented authors. I live now, in todays world, and have made the best of my opportunity as an independent author.
As for this book, I think I knew I would write this book at about the same time I met my wife, Gaby. Gaby is a most unusual person. Anyone who has ever met her can testify to the tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm she brings to the business we call, “living”. She is an extraordinary person.
When we first met, on Day 1, we took one look at each other and knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together. Love at first sight? No, that cliché is an understatement for the depth and intensity of love we have for one another. It keeps growing, building on the day before, regardless of whatever we do or say.
Our love for one another simply keeps growing, whether we like it or not. It’s bigger than both of us. It’s a wildfire that will not be put out until our very lives are extinguished, and even then, who knows?
As a storyteller, I hesitate to tell our story, since we have a lot of living ahead of us, if it be God’s will. Our story is the kind of story I would like to tell with the last breath of life that I have. A story to end all stories, if you will indulge my way of thinking.
As a writer, as I began to write, “I Live In Chile”, I could clearly observe how everything I talked about in the book was securely anchored to her presence in my life. In everything she is, was, has been, and always will be. Gaby is there, always present in the moment. She’s like a natural extension of me, and sometimes, if I’m not careful, she even thinks for me.
I want to finish by telling a story I’ve often told. Gaby is an unusually talented and gifted woman who is very goal-oriented. Her focus is on results. After we had been married for one year, she declared to me that we were going to buy a house.
I couldn’t see it, not on a teacher’s salary. But she made it happen. You see, she put me on a diet of bread and water for 7 years…and we bought a house!
No, not quite bread and water, but here’s what I’m saying. Gaby can see things I can’t see. She is able to go from vision to putting a plan of action in place that brings about results. Obviously, for 7 years, Gaby came up with a savings plan that helped us to achieve our goal of buying a home. Like any man who has ever achieved anything in his lifetime, it has all been because of the woman by my side. Gaby is truly the architect of my dreams.
To finish, let me say that, “I Live in Chile” is a book that I’m very proud of. It gives me a sense of contentment because it has a lot of emotional and sentimental value, not only for me, but for anybody who reads the book.
I am attached to it, truly so. I have come to realize that long after I have told my last story, taken my last breath, that book will live on. It is my testimony of life, of having lived, and loved. That book closes a circle of life for me.
If you have read the book, I hope you enjoyed it. My heart is in it, it truly is. If you have not read the book, I must highly recommend it to you. Seriously, it is the kind of book that is unique, which can’t be found anywhere else. In that sense, it is valuable. It lets you see a life, and a country, through the eyes of a grateful immigrant, who has come to love, cherish, and admire, and adore the country which has adopted me, my Chile…
¡Viva Chile! Long May She Live!
