After a two-month hiatus, I am finally back to writing this column. It was a much-needed break to rest, spend time with my first granddaughter María, and sort out the physical and mental clutter that had been piling up. During this time, I also had to meet various professional commitments with looming deadlines, such as a series for RTVC and a pending project in Tenerife. These responsibilities often make it difficult to truly enjoy the work. However, the break served as a healing period and brought about some pleasant surprises.
In the second week of my absence, not a day went by without a reader inquiring about the column. Many expressed their longing for it, stating that they wouldn’t read the newspaper without my column. I received an unexpected amount of affectionate messages during this time.
A week ago, the director, Antonio Cacereño, called and with just a few words, convinced me to return: “Ayala, the hole in your spine is still waiting for you,” he said. With that, I made the decision to continue. And here I am, ready to dive back into writing.