Cuando Yo Ya No Pueda

The day I am old and not the same anymore,
have patience and understand me.
when I spill food on my shirt
and forget how to tie my shoes,
remember the hours I spent teaching you
to do the same things.
If when we talk I repeat
the same story that you
know how it ends,
don't interrupt me and listen to me.
when you were little,
I had to tell you the same story
thousands of times to make you fall asleep
until you closed your little eyes.

When we are together
and accidentally have an accident, don't be ashamed
and understand me,
I'm not to blame for it,
because I can't control it anymore.
think of how many times I helped you as a child
and patiently waited by your side
for you to finish what you were doing.
Don't scold me for not wanting to bathe;
don't reprimand me for it.
remember the times I chased you
and the many excuses I made
to make your hygiene more pleasant.

Accept me and forgive me
because now I am the child...
When you see me useless and
ignorant in front of all the technological devices
that I can no longer understand,
I beg you to give me all the time
necessary to not hurt myself
with your mocking smile.
remember that I was the one who taught you so many things
to eat, to dress
and the education to face
life as well as you do,
are the product of my effort
and perseverance for you.
When at some point while
we talk I forget the topic
we are discussing,
give me all the time necessary
until I remember and
if I can't do it, don't make fun of me.
maybe what I was talking about wasn't important
but it was enough for me
that you just listened to me at that moment.
If someday I don't want to eat,
don't insist
I know what I can do
and what I shouldn't do.
also understand that with the passing
of time I no longer have teeth
to bite or taste to feel.

When my legs fail me
for being tired to walk
give me a tender hand to lean on,
just like I did when you started
to walk with your weak little legs.

Finally,
when one day you hear me say that
I no longer want to live and just wish to die,
don't be angry.
someday you will understand that
this has nothing to do
with your love or how much I love you.
try to understand that
I no longer live but survive and that is not living.
I always wanted the best for you
and I have prepared the paths you had to walk.
think then that with the step
I am about to take, I will be building for you
another path in another time,
but always with you.
Don't feel sad or powerless
seeing me as you see me.
give me your heart, understand me
and support me
as I did when you started to live...
in the same way
as I have accompanied you
on your path, I beg you to accompany me
to finish mine.
give me love and patience
and I will give you gratitude
and smiles with the immense love I have for you.