Fernando Llamas, here is a friend
If what Abraham Lincoln said were true, that “what matters is not the years of life but the life of the years”, today the day would pass like one more, between hot flashes and hot flashes, pending the umpteenth “dana”, according to the place of work or vacation, without paying too much attention to climate change, or rushing the last hours at work before stampeding. If that were true, we would not be hurt by the escape of Fernando (García) Llamas, “Lleims” for friends, another victim of an inexorable equation: cancer + suffering = death.
Of course… there are cancers and cancers, although the word, before the diagnosis, terrifies. There are already several tumors that are stopped, especially if they are detected on time -as if humans had nothing else to do than go to the doctor when, without pain or signs, we are only concerned about the stage of the Tour or the Atleti match , in this case-. In December of last year, Fernando was discovered a (malignant) tumor in his esophagus. He told us about it on Facebook, on 22-D: “Gentlemen, I am already giving it my all in a stage that is supposed to be long and demanding, but with high spirits and the luck of not being alone. I have medical, technical and affective teams dedicated to my health. Having a partner like Rosa and the love of my children, brothers and the whole family is the guarantee that we will overcome the battles that come.”. Seven days after the “announcement”, on the 29th, he started “chemo”.
Fernando, in addition to being “an older journalist who wants to change the world as if he were 18 years old” – the phrase is his – was a good person, which is what is said of almost all those who leave us, an excellent colleague, who is what is not said about all colleagues at work, and a brilliant professional. He left his mark on Ya, El Independiente, El Sol, As, EL MUNDO, Marca and by extension in Unidad Editorial, where he was in charge, for example, of Motor since November 9, 2020. He, who started with soccer, continued with cycling and became enthusiastic about athletics. Yes, “Lleims” was an all-rounder, and very good people. and independent. And from a family of journalists, his father, his brothers and his uncle, the unforgettable Miguel García Baró with whom I was lucky to start at Ya, where I gave the alternative to Fernando; from there we covered many stages together.
Last May, not long ago, I enjoyed a few days at the beach in Guardamar with Rosa and her children.. It seemed that between him and “his entire team” they had defeated the disease.. Until the damned metastasis invaded him without warning as his days grew shorter; the last ones, a suffering. Rest in peace, friend. You've earned that too.