
MARTA’S SMILE
Description
This book is the story of the foretold death of a daughter, told by her father.
To a potential reader, the subject may seem chilling and, with the book in hand without opening its pages, produce feelings that range from curiosity to rejection.
Manuel Reyes describes the premonition inserted in that poster that serves as a reference in this book, and that leads from the birth of Marta, the desired daughter, until her death at the age of 19, a victim of cancer.
But the author goes further, does not accept the disappearance of a special daughter, and during the painful elaboration of the duel he discovers that everything does not end in the cemetery. To reach this conclusion, he receives the best aid: the smile of his daughter Marta.
The road to grief is long, slow, and without shortcuts. To elaborate means to relocate the lost person, to give him a place within us. Elaborating does not mean in any case forgetting as well-intentioned people often advise: on the contrary, it is being able to remember the deceased person in a pleasant and non-painful way. To elaborate is to learn to give birth to children within.
This book is the living expression of the steadfast path towards a healthy process of grief. It is a human act of expression of internal pain. It will be a true story that will accompany other fathers and mothers who are unfortunately in mourning; and I understand that a tribute to your daughter Marta and to the many teachings that she is providing her in her presence and absence.
Author
Manuel Reyes Cotán.