After a few minutes, the doctor allowed Diane to move to the UCI, where her mother was. -It is curious -she thought- . Her mother seemed to be asleep, seemed that she was happy, even she retained her beauty, a little withered by age, but she was beautiful. She walked over and kissed her. Diane wasn´t very religious, but now felt the urgent need to pray as the nuns taught her at school . His father was Catholic, and always sought for Diane the best education, even in that aspect .

She was going to start praying when a nurse approached Diane with an old cardboard box.

- Mrs Malone. This was of your mother . The geriatric told us that your mother held it in her hands so tightly that they could not remove it. In fact, they told us that lately she always carried the box with her .

- Always? - wondered Diane - Are you sure? My mother had Alzheimer . I doubt she would remember to take this old box every day.

- Well, believe me. They have been assured us that so it was.

Diane was intrigued. She wiped tears and opened the box . Inside was something like an old album . She opened it and ... she couldn´t believe it. They were pictures of her. In the crib, with a few months in the bathroom, taking her first steps, with her school uniform, with her cat ... Elisabeth. Also had newspaper clippings of the school where Diane once published a short story . I couldn´t believe . Her childhood and adolescence in pictures was there.

Then he realized that in the bottom of the box there was a folded piece of paper . Upon opening discovered that it was a letter of Helen directed to her.

Dear Diane:

When you read this letter will mean that I have ceased to exist.

I am sick. I´m not very smart, but I realize that my head loses power and forget more and more things. Although doctors tell me I'm wrong. In fact, they didn´t say anything. They just simply smile and treat me with kindness. If this continues, I think soon I will not remember anything, not even my own name.

Before that happens, I want tell you that you always wanted to hear from my lips, " I love you, my daughter¨. Has not spent a single day that I did not think about you. But I want to ask forgiveness, because I was a frivolous woman, because I wanted to make up for all the bad times that life had put me through. I never had your strength. I want to say that I have always admired your strength and integrity.

Your father and me had a different concept about money. Spencer wasn´t materialistic, perhaps because he always had everything or simply he was better than me...I don´t know. But I want that you know that I was in love with him and our divorce was very sad for both.

With respect to you, at first it hurt your preference for him. After I realized it was my fault, for not said more often how much I've always loved you, but did not know how to express it. I will say that I have always felt very proud of you, of your values, your achievements. This album is the proof of it.

Despite of my faults and ,although one day my memory surely will disappear, I want to say that never will disappear my love for you. You can be sure. That´s why I have written these lines. I've always loved you and wherever I go, always will.

I hope not to be late for your heart this time.

with all my heart, your mother

Hellen.

Diane´s hands shook, lips, knees ... the whole body. Sam watched from outside, and he wanted to enter quickly . A nurse was about to protest, because only was allowed the entrance one person by family , but nurse realized the emotional state of Diane and accompanied Sam.

When he got to where Diane was, she was so nervous and had such a state of anxiety, that her famous facial tic emerged after decades of neglect .

-My mother loved me, Sam!, My mother loved me! - Diane repeated again and again, sobbing, embracing the album and the letter from her mother.

- Quiet sweetheart. - Sam hugged hard while the nurse supplied her a tranquilizer.-

It was about 7:45 in the morning when Sam and Diane were back at home. The night had been long and painful. Sam was in charge of the paperwork in the hospital, and calling all family and friends to tell them the sad news and details about the wake and funeral.

Now, Diane was in the bedroom, immersed in her thoughts. She still couldn´t believe that her mother was gone. At that time, entered Sam in their bedroom.

- How are you, sweetie?- asked Sam

- You were right, Sam. My mother loved me -said Diane with some remorse.- As always, you know people better than me.

- Stop it . Do not torture yourself .

- Sam, ...now I feel that I owe years of love to my mother -Diane said about to mourn- but it´s too late... she has died

- Not entirely -said Sam meanwhile he sit down in bed near Diane, taking her hand -

- What do you mean ?

- You are blonde and with blue eyes like your mother -said Sam-, you has also inherited her smile and the color of their skin. That´s the way your mother lives in you. People are still living in their descendants, my mother taught me it when I was a child and it's true. By the way, Samuel also has your smile.

-Sam, I..!...

-You, what?... You're an extraordinary woman. Excellent daughter, wife and mother. When we met, we were friends. And I have to confess that, as friend, you were excellent: Always you gave me good advices and you taught me to be a better person, those things made me love you. Your mother did what she did for some reason, but despite she did, she loved you. I know you, and I know you also loved her. Don´t complicate more. Your mother has died because it came her moment. It is the law of life. You do not have to pay your pain and frustration with anyone, least with yourself.

- Do you think, Sam? -asked Diane insecure.

- Yes dear, -said Sam gently- Forgive yourself and forgive your mother. Now relax you a bit. You didn´t slept all night - said Sam and gave her a soft kiss on the lips-

Sam left the room. The door closed behind him with a soft click. Diane leaned back in the bed. She was still hugging the photo album of her mother. After a while, without knowing how or why, she remembered fragments half-forgotten memory of her childhood, but one of them emphasized over others. When she was about three years and her parents made her a birthday party. His mother appeared with a cake with three candles, while her father and Uncle Jack sang happy birthday.

Now Diane was crying with happiness. Yes, she had fond memories of her mother. Now her mother would rest in peace, and she might regain her peace, although slowly and painfully.