Dr. Pet: A Sister's Farewell Letter

Tivoli, the letter, and the emotion. "Today I am here to tell you a story. And even though I'm afraid of giving in to emotions, I owe this tale to someone who, without a doubt, is watching me amused right now." This is how the letter that Martina, the sister of Marco Petrini, known to everyone as Dr. Pet, began at the funeral of her brother, who passed away at just 37 years old from an incurable disease. Dr. Pet, the sister's letter The girl thus decided to share it on social media. A life spent together, before tragedy struck their lives. "My little brother and I had a year's difference. He was the older one. This means I never knew a time when he wasn't there. In short, I was never an only child. I owe him my scar on the forehead, and to me, he owes his little trust in the female gender. Every time I broke something at home and mom asked who had been, I replied satisfied: 'It was Macco'. He, immobile and chubby, looked at me with a bewildered face, saying nothing. From this, you can deduce two things: my being a little brat and his noble soul." Martina recalls the school days and her brother's brilliance, "he listened in class and then knew more than the teachers." Then, the blow. The disease. "They say that diseases transform people but not Marco, he had not changed, he even joked about it. When he received his sentence, he decided that only very few would know. After all, he was a professional, he wanted to continue to treat his little patients, he did not want his abilities, his lucidity, or his professionalism to be questioned." Marco Petrini's death, the last farewell to "Dr. Pet". The church packed in Tivoli: "Your smile forever" THE MEMORY "My brother did not want to be called a hero or warrior just because he was forced to fight against a disease he had not wanted or deserved, he was a veterinary doctor, the best and most passionate, he was Dr. Pet. For his job, he was ready to give up weekends, parties, trips. I could not understand how a person could sacrifice what is ultimately our most precious asset, time, for a job. My mother always told me that for him that was happiness. Marco had found what most people torment themselves searching for all their life, their own vocation. That thing you are destined for, that you can do easily, that gives you happiness and a deep sense of fulfillment. So, how many of you can say you have really found it? Not me." "And if you think that the meaning of life is love, well, my brother had also found that. Let's say that, as far as this point is concerned, he started off well from the beginning. Marco grew up in a family that loved him deeply. My mother accompanied him on his journey every single day, until the last minute. Giulia, his partner, supported and waited for him, maybe she is still waiting. You know, all this comforts me because, if life is a journey that serves to find a meaning and to resolve one's self, maybe Marco left us well in advance because he had found that meaning, he was a resolved person. At this point, you might think, luckily I am unresolved. It's true, Marco could not do many things, that will be up to me. He will live in me, I will make that trip to Japan that we had decided to do together and will realize that little big project he had for me. Giulia, unfortunately for obvious reasons I can't marry you, but I hope we will continue to take care of each other, for Marco and with Marco. If you think about it, the real stars always leave early, the great ones do not have to bear the burden of old age. So good night little brother, stay close, you'll see we'll have fun."