This is a story about forgiveness and understanding that life must continue, regardless. “This Márquez Thing” is in my blood. I inherited it from my father, who passed it unaltered to me, and he in turn learned it from his father. I am, as he was, insecure. All my life I have been trying to destroy myself. The mighty forces of nature must have been on my side because, so far, I have not been successful. My father and my grandfather were. They didn’t have anyone to help them in their time of need as I did. They dealt with it themselves the best way they knew how. Constantly, they seemed to enjoy battling armoured soldiers, totally unprotected and pretending to heal their wounds as they fought; but that’s impossible. So did I, and when my warranties expired, I reinvented myself into a different instrument. I had to! I refused to be thrown away like a worn-out toaster. With time, I have become very resilient and, I have to admit, also very fortunate. That is why I am still here.