Bless Me, Ultima

by Rudolfo Anaya

because in the end understanding simply means having a sympathy for people,” he said. “Ultima has sympathy for people, and it is so complete that with it she can touch their souls and cure them—”

I made strength from everything that had happened to me, so that in the end even the final tragedy could not defeat me.

the tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that resides in the human heart.

Her hand touched my forehead and her last words were, “I bless you in the name of all that is good and strong and beautiful, Antonio. Always have the strength to live. Love

life, and if despair enters your heart, look for me in the evenings when the wind is gentle and the owls sing in the hills. I shall be with you—”

He had saved my life, and perhaps if we had come earlier we would have

saved Ultima. But it was better not to think that way. Ultima said to take life’s experiences and build strength from them, not weakness.