Rebuilding yourself after a loss and finding meaning in life again, when death takes your love away, are difficult stages that few brave people manage to overcome. ‘On your knees is the secret’, at least that’s how Merlyn Ochoa, a journalist from Televised, of ecuavisa.
The life of the Guayaquil communicator is a walk full of contrasts. She is characterized by challenges, sacrifices that she has been able to bear from the hand of God and that have given her learning and a lot of satisfaction. In addition to her day-to-day work in journalism, in the last year she has experienced great changes that have allowed her a renewed physical appearance, a new home and reopening to love six years after the death of her husband, the also journalist Paul Hammer.
Merlyn, a few days away from her 40th birthday (February 2), is recognized as an accomplished woman, however, she does not stop dreaming and setting new goals. One of them the launch of her first book which she will title: My passage through hell.
Another challenge that she is about to meet is to become a lawyer, an objective that she plans to achieve next year with the graduation process.
But, in addition to the professional field, her role as mother, daughter and unconditional friend, Merlyn details how the process was to give herself a new opportunity in love.
accept love
Is Paul Martillo the love of his life or was he the love of Merlyn at that time?
Frankly, Paul was the love of my life. You have to learn to give that person a place in your heart, only then can you overcome it and move on to a new stage. That’s what I had to do to fall in love again six years later, it has been very difficult for me. I am very demanding, I was very closed, I publicly said that I was ready, but internally I did the opposite to get away from love. Until I understood that the important thing was that I give Paul a space in my heart from which no one can take him out, no one will replace him, he will always be there and that will allow me to make room for a new person.
Is the current person aware of this?
Yes, Paúl Alexander (Enríquez) is aware that I was able to establish this in order to open myself up to love.
How did the relationship start?
A mutual friend introduced us. She uploaded a selfie with me and then told me that a friend wanted to meet me. She told me that she would never introduce me to someone who doesn’t suit me, but that he did suit me, she convinced me for about three months until I accepted the first date. We started dating, getting to know each other, we had chemistry, but I couldn’t get to the kissing stage. So I went to talk to Paul.
What did he say to Paul?
I told him that I loved him with all my life, I gave my all, I went to ecuavisa to give up, I dumped my children for going to take care of him (when he was undergoing cancer treatment in the United States). I gave him my life, I gave it all. I was the happiest woman, I thanked God for being with him, even when I was sick, but he was no longer there and I needed someone to support me, to have a coffee with, to dry my tears, someone to help me. help carry the suitcase of pain, anguish, despair. I told him that I have met that special someone, but I can’t take it one step further. And after that conversation, the next day my relationship flowed.
And how is the relationship now?
We have a very nice relationship. He has been patient for me to rediscover myself, he was with open arms when I was ready. I told God: I am ready for love.
How has it been discovered at this stage?
I feel so happy. I like him because I feel that he complements me a lot. I feel that I admire him for how he solves problems, I admire his work and I admire how he is like a father, he has custody of his son, he takes care of him, he is one of those parents of name, time, space and quality.
Do you get along with your children?
He is the one who plays with my children, he throws himself on the ground, goes to the field, goes to the park. There is super good chemistry. I am happy, I feel that God heard my pleas because he is a wonderful man.
new facets
These last months have been full of changes, how will you receive your 40 years?
Totally renewed and happy. I moved house, I had to move from the house where I lived with Paul. I felt that the house consumed me too much, the memories attacked me, the house was him. I made the decision to move house, I did, this gave me a breather, then Alexander comes into my life, then I reach my 40 years very happy, aware of what has happened, but also aware that life is beautiful and you have to enjoy it. They are very positive changes.
You also underwent surgery, was it for aesthetics or health?
When Paul died I was left with an emotional problem that I did not convey externally. Anxiety levels were such that prediabetes and prehypertension rose even though I exercised, dieted, however, anxiety and bad eating habits kept me weighing 200 pounds, which I couldn’t lose. Then I met Christian Andrade, son of Dr. Trino Andrade. We talked about gastric sleeve surgery and I had surgery a month later, but it was all for health reasons.
This entire process has been seen by your followers on social networks, there are already 121,000 on Instagram.
I tell you that those who follow me are more because of who I am behind the screen, not just because of the journalist Merlyn. After Paul died, many more people followed me to find out how I am with my family, to find out how I have tried to overcome the adversities that have happened to me and that is why now I have the desire to get my book out.
tell us about your book
The name is My passage through hell. It is a book that will take me to many people, I want to tell many people who lost their loved ones during the pandemic ways to deal with that duel, that stage so as not to fall into depression. One part will be what I experienced with Paul’s illness and the ways to overcome it. I hope to have it by November.
How did the journalist start?
I entered the Catholic University to study with the illusion of being a variety show host in the future, however, I got caught up in a career in journalism, the daily news and research. Then by lottery I had to do my internship in ecuavisa and I came to the channel and was able to work with those who were my inspiration, my example like María Cecilia Largacha, Tania Tinoco, Teresita Arboleda, Ruth del Salto and Pedro Jiménez.
My first interview was with a politician in another canton of Guayas and the second was about the notary Cabrera, who convulsed Machala, and I traveled as an intern with María Cecilia Largacha. There I managed to enter a military barracks to interview a military commander. I learned a lot.
Merlyn is a faithful witness that if dreams are decreed, they are fulfilled with the “mercy” of God. She now weighs 125 pounds and has a slender figure that makes her feel very comfortable, healthy, and happy in her facets as a mother, woman, and journalist as a complement. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
