When I was in college I was still a little lost about my career path. Even though I had already chosen Communications, I didn’t know if I wanted to be in TV, radio or any other media. For some time I thought I would be a hardcore journalist; being in the front line of any battle or uncovering major political plots. But then I discovered one of the best columnists in the country. Germán Dehesa wrote for the Reforma newspaper an opinion section called “Gaceta del Ángel”.

When I first started reading his column, I remember laughing so much one day and then crying the other. His words were powerful, though in a lot of cases I didn’t agree with him, I always enjoyed the familiar, colloquial and warm way he wrote. Every line was written with such sincerity that I always felt he was talking exclusively to me; as if he knew everything about me, the thoughts in my mind… the secrets of my soul.

Fortunately my previous jobs gave me the opportunity to meet him, and to talk to him not just once, or twice, but three times. First, when a Spanish writer, Arturo Perez-Reverte, launched his novel “La reina del sur” (The queen of the south). In the press conference they were both making jokes, drinking tequila, talking about the impressive 500 pages book inspired by a hit song from the popular Mexican group Los Tigres del Norte.

The second time he was at the Book Fair organized in Guadalajara and the third time he was a guest in the unveiling of a miniature labyrinth in honor of Octavio Paz’s book “El laberinto de la soledad” (The labyrinth of solitude). He approached after finishing walking through the maze, he smiled and said good night in the most 1920´s gentleman kind of way. I told him we’ve had spoken before and that I have been following him for quite some time.

“Maybe, I’m the one following you”, he said and emphasized the last word by flicking my nose and winked. Then, with a giggle, he slowly walked away.

On August 25^th he wrote for his column an unintentional farewell. He told his readers he was very sick, and that while the cancer he was facing didn’t give him too much pain, the doctors had told him he had a few months left to live.

Of course, the joyful and loving way he wrote those words gave us all who followed him some peace, and hope that there was time to make things better.

Nonetheless, time was not on our side, and last Thursday, September 2th, Germán passed away at the age of 66. According to the news he died quietly, on his favorite armchair and surrounded by family and friends.

In the last couple of weeks I’ve written about my job making me feel proud and capable of reaching higher. And although that is true, German’s beautiful skill to invite everyone to his joy and sorrow made me think that maybe it is not only about height; but also about reaching farther out, deeper in, lower below… whichever, but reaching to someone in some way.

I just hope I get to be as fortunate as Germán Dehesa and always remember the true essence of writing: communication.

See more posts by Emma Sifuentes

Latest posts in the @Office series:

• The last one (not quite)
• In good times and in bad
• Changes. Big changes.
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (XI and last)
• Summer half-day Bicentennial Wednesday. Yeah Baby!
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (X)
• Germán Dehesa and the secrets of my soul
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (IX)
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (VIII)
• Meeting request (II)
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (VII)
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (VI)
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• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby! (IV)
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• Lifting the love
• Rainy days and Mondays
• Summer half-day Fridays. Yeah baby!
• Champions of joy
• Meeting request

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