He who sows in his own land, reaps.(Ing/Esp.)-Creative Nonfiction-The Ink Well-Prompt #28
Published on HivePostify by @rammargarita · Sun Apr 19 2026
In the city of Cumaná, Venezuela, in 1971, I married Efraín Rodríguez, and in 1973 I gave birth to my first daughter, whom we named Leocarmen. In 1976, Ernesto José was born; then, in 1977, I had Engels Efraín, and in 1978, I had Simón Ilich. During that last cesarean section, my fallopian tubes were cauterized, as it was impossible to have any more children.
From that moment on, my husband and I dedicated ourselves to raising them and teaching them family values: love, respect, honesty, responsibility, generosity, and patience.
Since we got married, we've lived in a house in the Bolívar neighborhood, across from the José Silverio González High School. They experienced all stages of their development in this house: childhood, adolescence, and part of adulthood.
Several years later:
Leocarmen has a degree in Business Administration, works at the University of Oriente, is married to José, and has two daughters: Alexa, Rut, and a grandson.
Engels, a Senior Technician in Business Administration, works at the José Silverio González High School; he also writes stories for Hive and sometimes creates cartoons for other websites. He lives independently with his wife, Nairuvis, and their son, Lenin Vladimir Ilich. Engels also plays the bass guitar.
Simón Ilich has a degree in Education with a specialization in Pure Physics; he works at the José Antonio Ramos Sucre High School. He wrote for Hive for several years. He is the lead singer and plays the bass guitar in the band The Stokers. He lives at his wife Corina's parents' house with his two daughters: Irianny and Estefany.
From a young age, Ernesto José used to sit with a notebook and pencil under the shade of a sea grape tree in our backyard, lost in thought. I would watch him from a distance; then I would pick up the pencil and write in my notebook.
Source from [pixabay](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/fondo-de-a%c3%b1o-nuevo-adulto-diario-1850177/)
A week later, I saw my son Ernesto under that tree, meditating with his eyes closed. A little while later, I saw him writing. I approached him and asked:
“Son, what’s wrong? I’ve been watching you for several weeks.” I took a deep breath and then continued:
“After you finish your chores, you come and sit under this tree,” he replied very subtly:
“Sometimes I feel worried, and in this space I feel relaxed, and I also let my imagination run wild and write some drafts of stories,” I smiled and asked him:
“What’s worrying you?” His face was as pale as marble, and his lips were as white as snow. Then he answered:
“I’m turning 18 soon, I’ll be graduating soon; besides studying, I want to learn an art form so I can earn money and buy my own things,” I replied sweetly.
“I’ll talk to your father, but when will you show me those story sketches?” With a smile on his face, he replied:
“Someday.”
That night, my husband and I went to our bedroom; as soon as we lay down, I explained our son Ernesto’s situation to him. He replied:
“At the end of the month, I’ll give him a gift that will allow him to learn an art form.” Overjoyed, I hugged him and said:
“I trust you.”
At the end of the month, Efraín showed up with a box, handed it to my son, and said,
“Here you go. With these tools, you’ll be able to meet many of your personal needs.”
In a short time, Ernesto learned to weld and make furniture, doors, and all sorts of wrought iron items. He built his blacksmith shop on a small plot of land at the house.
Soon after, he married Darggys, and they moved into our house and had their first child, whom they named Ernesto. A year later, my son Ernesto graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
Five years later, he began working at FUNDACOMUNAL as a social promoter, training community members in Community Councils. After lunch and a rest, he would open his workshop and do various blacksmithing jobs.
Six months later, the couple divorced. Shortly after, Ernesto married Yusmary; their daughter, Ysabella, was born. He and his wife worked at the same institution and lived in a house they had bought. Two years later, they divorced.
A month later, Ernesto was transferred from FUNDACOMUNAL in Cumaná to the Santa Fe branch. There he met a beautiful young woman named Elizabeth, tall, dark-haired, with jet-black eyes that captivated him. He soon proposed, and they were married in a civil ceremony and later in the town's church.
Soon after, they had a son, whom they named Efraín Ramón; two years later, Makharianny was born. The economic situation in Venezuela led Ernesto and his family to emigrate to Brazil. There, he found work at a bus factory called Marco Polo, where he worked as a skilled blacksmith.
A year later, he bought a townhouse with a mortgage from a bank. They have been living in Brazil for several years now, and we keep in touch via video calls.
A week ago, he called me and told me that he now works nights and gets home in the early hours of the morning after sleeping. When he wakes up, he spends time with his wife and children. Then he has lunch with them. Afterward, he takes the children to school.
Upon returning home, he sits down at his computer, and in the tranquility of his house, he relaxes and begins to transcribe the sketches of stories from his childhood and adolescence that he keeps stored in his memory. He is inspired by the motivation, love, and understanding of his wife, who supports him with these ideas.
To my surprise, yesterday my son Ernesto emailed me a book he wrote, titled "Chronicles of the Pack," based on stories of experiences he shared with his siblings, cousins, and friends. I delighted in reading these stories and smiled throughout.
I also enjoyed the stories of community members who, in their youth and old age, were involved in folklore, and of other people from our city who, for some reason, lost their memories. Ernesto kept these memories in his heart, dedicating a space in this book to tell their stories.
I immediately called him and, after congratulating him, asked:
"Son, how did you manage to put this book together?" He happily replied:
"Do you remember when I used to sit at your house under that tree, in that place where tranquility reigned; only the wind blew and the leaves danced harmoniously like ballerinas?" He paused, then continued:
"In those moments, I wrote drafts of nonfiction stories!" I heard the boy interrupt him; then he continued:
“You asked me, ‘When will you show them to me?’ and I answered, ‘Someday.’ Well, that day arrived with this book I sent you,” I replied, very excited:
“I’ve already read the whole book! You excelled with the poem dedicated to your wife on your wedding anniversary, ‘For Elizabeth, on our 10th anniversary,’ and in the story, ‘The Box That Changed My Destiny.’” I heard his laughter, then I continued:
“Efraín, my husband from the paths of eternity, and I from the face of the earth, are so proud of you! Our children! Because from a very young age we instilled in you family values that have allowed you to achieve your dreams!” Ernesto, deeply moved, replied:
“Thank you, Mom, I love you very much.”
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Quien siembra en su propia tierra, cosecha.
En la ciudad de Cumaná, Venezuela, en 1971, me casé con Efraín Rodríguez, y en 1973 di a luz a mi primera hija, a quien llamamos Leocarmen. En 1976 nació Ernesto José; luego, en 1977, tuve a Engels, Efraín, y en 1978, a Simón Ilich. Durante esa última cesárea, me cauterizaron las trompas de Falopio, ya que era imposible tener más hijos.
Desde ese momento, mi esposo y yo nos dedicamos a criarlos y a inculcarles valores familiares: amor, respeto, honestidad, responsabilidad, generosidad y paciencia.
Desde que nos casamos, vivimos en una casa en el barrio Bolívar, frente al Liceo José Silverio González. En esta casa vivieron todas las etapas de su desarrollo: infancia, adolescencia y parte de la adultez.
Varios años después:
Leocarmen es licenciada en Administración de Empresas, trabaja en la Universidad de Oriente, está casada con José y tiene dos hijas: Alexa, Rut, y un nieto.
Engels, técnico superior en Administración de Empresas, trabaja en el Instituto José Silverio González; también escribe historias para Hive y ocasionalmente crea caricaturas para otros sitios web. Vive de forma independiente con su esposa, Nairuvis, y su hijo, Lenin Vladimir Ilich. Engels también toca el instrumento musical "el bajo".
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