Carlos hesitated, but accepted.

—Aunt Carmelita says that when you’re sad, you can plant a seed and take care of it every day. And when the plant grows, you remember that you can do something good even when you’re sad.

—And do you want to plant something?

—I want to plant a red rose for Mom.

Carlos felt his eyes fill with tears.

For the first time in months, Valentina shared with him the lessons she had learned from Carmen, naturally, without forcing anything. They spent the whole afternoon planting rose bushes in the garden. Valentina explained each step as if she were the teacher, repeating words she had undoubtedly learned from Carmen.

—Dad, Aunt Carmelita said that the soil needs water, but not too much, because otherwise the plant will get sick.

—Aunt Carmelita knows a lot about plants.

—Aunt Carmelita knows everything. She says her grandmother, who went to heaven just like Mom, taught her these things.

Carlos began to understand that Carmen was not only taking care of Valentina; she was teaching her a way of coping with grief that she herself had learned.

Kitchen utensils

That night, after Valentina fell asleep, Carlos stared at the newly planted rose bushes. For a moment, he felt a peace he hadn’t experienced for months.

The next morning, she received a call from Valentina’s psychologist, Dora Patricia Gutiérrez.

—Mr. Carlos, I would like to make an unscheduled visit today to observe Valentina in her home environment. It’s part of the protocol to assess her progress.

—Of course, doctor. What time?

—Around three in the afternoon, if that’s not a problem.

Carlos informed Dolores of the visit and asked that everything proceed as usual. He decided not to mention it to Carmen: he wanted the psychologist to witness the natural interaction between her and Valentina.

Dr. Patricia arrived promptly at 3:00. She was a 50-year-old woman with over 20 years of experience in child psychology. Carlos greeted her in the living room.

“How is Valentina, doctor?” he asked.

—That’s why I’m here. He’s showing remarkable progress in the sessions, but I want to understand the environment that’s contributing to this improvement.

They were interrupted by laughter coming from the kitchen. Dolores appeared in the living room with a disapproving expression.

—Mr. Carlos, Carmen is making another mess in the kitchen with the girl.

“Leave them alone,” Carlos said. “Doctor, would you like to see how my daughter is interacting?”

They walked discreetly towards the kitchen.

The scene impressed the psychologist. Valentina was standing on a sturdy stool, helping Carmen make cookies. The two were chatting animatedly about geometric shapes as they molded the dough.

“This one is round like the sun,” Valentina said, showing a cookie.

—Very well. And what shape is this one here? —Carmen asked.

—Square, like the window in my room.

—Perfect, you’re very clever, princess.

Dr. Patricia observed the interaction for almost 15 minutes. Valentina appeared relaxed and communicative, demonstrating knowledge of shapes, colors, and measurements. More importantly, she exuded confidence.

“Mr. Carlos, may I speak with the person who works with Valentina?” the psychologist asked.

—Sure. Carmen, can you come?

Carmen entered, drying her hands on her apron, visibly nervous because she didn’t know who the visitor was.

—Carmen, this is Dr. Patricia, Valentina’s psychologist.

—Nice to meet you, doctor —Carmen said, even more nervous.

—Carmen, can I ask you a few questions about how you interact with Valentina?

—Of course, doctor.

—How long have you been working here?

—Five months, doctor.

—And have you always had this close relationship with the girl?

—From day one, doctor. Valentina is a special girl, very affectionate. I couldn’t be indifferent.

—How would you describe Valentina’s emotional state when you started?

“She was very sad, doctor. She didn’t talk, she didn’t play, she just kept hugging the doll that smells like Mom. It broke my heart to see her like that.”

—What strategies did he use to approach her?

“There were no strategies, doctor. I simply treated her the way I would have liked to be treated when I lost my mother. With patience, with affection, without forcing anything.”

—Do you have specific training to work with grieving children?

Carmen hesitated and looked at Carlos.

“You can tell the truth,” he said.

—I have a background in education, doctor, but I learned about grief through experience. When I was a child…

Dr. Patricia wrote something down.

—Mr. Carlos, may I speak with you privately?

In the office, the psychologist was very direct.

—Valentina’s progress is exceptional. In five months she went from selective mutism to normal communication; from social isolation to active interaction. This is rare in cases of childhood grief.