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Matthew's
father, who
worked for a
large company,
had been
promoted and
would be moved
to another
country, and the
family would
have to move
there.
After months of
preparation,
they travelled
to the new
country.
Installed in the
new home,
everything was
new. Despite
having studied
English in
Brazil, Matthew
did not
understand what
people said. |
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At school, he
could not
understand
either the
teacher or his
classmates. This
situation left
him stressed
out, and he
always came home
angry and upset.
Not only that,
there was a kid
who would
ridicule him
before the whole
class, making
fun of him.
One day, Matthew
came home sad
and would not
have lunch. His
mother, Elza,
approached him,
affectionately,
and embraced
him.
- My son, I know
that all this
change is not
being easy on
you. But with
patience, we
will solve
everything.
Nestled in the
mother's arms,
Matthew began to
cry, venting:
- The adaptation
is not easy, but
it disturbs me
that there is a
kid annoying me
all the time,
Mom. As Joe
knows that I do
not quite
understand
English, he
keeps
humiliating me
in front of the
others.
- My son, I
understand what
you're going
through.
However, when
someone acts
this way is
because they
also have
problems. Surely
this guy is not
happy, believe
me - she said.
- You think so,
mother? - I
don't just think
so, I know so!
Anyway, try to
act differently
with Joe. Be
friendly, show
warmth, smile.
There is nothing
that your
beautiful smile
can not solve.
Approach him,
try to chat.
Excited about
his mother's
suggestions, the
next day Matthew
went to school
more confident.
Whenever the boy
made a joke or
mocked him,
Matthew did not
respond, being
quiet and
smiling. The
days passed and
the boy would
not give up. But
Matthew was
still acting the
same way,
cheerful and
friendly, which
won over the
other
colleagues, but
not Joe. One
day, at recess,
seeing that Joe
was alone,
Matthew came up
to him with a
smile.
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- Hello...
The other raised
his head,
expressionless.
He found his
classmate's
attitude
strange. Matthew
sat beside him.
Joe looked at
him from the
corner of his
eye, not
understanding.
Suddenly,
Matthew took a
chocolate bar
from his pocket
and offered it
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to the
colleague. |
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Joe was hungry,
and accepted it.
They began to
talk. Matthew
spoke a mix of
broken English
and mime, and
the other
laughed. Out of
habit, he spoke
some Portuguese,
which Joe did
not understand.
Both started
laughing and a
different
atmosphere
developed
between the two
boys.
Matthew learned
that Joe was
very sad and
angry because
his parents were
divorced. He
lived with his
mother, but
really missed
his Dad. Matthew
felt bad about
Joe's situation,
thinking how his
mother was right
when she said
that his
classmate had
problems.
- Joe, I can
imagine how much
you're
suffering.
Couples quarrel
and separate.
Sometimes it is
better to
separate than to
be fighting all
the time. But
you will always
have their love,
believe me.
- I know, but I
can not accept
this situation.
Feeling sorry,
Matthew thought
for a while and
invited Joe to
come to his
house after
school, saying
that his mother
had baked a
delicious
chocolate cake.
Joe gladly
accepted. He did
not like to go
back home.
The bell rang
and they went
back to the
classroom. The
environment now,
however, was
completely
different. Joe
told his mother
he was going to
visit a friend
and accompanied
Matthew to his
house.
At home,
Matthew's mother
was delighted to
see his son with
the boy who,
until then, was
his main problem
at school. Joe
told her that
his parents were
divorced. That
his father liked
to drink and
when that
happened he was
violent.
Sometimes he
would beat his
mother who not
being able to
take it anymore,
decided to ask
for the divorce.
But he knew she
was suffering,
because at
night, alone in
his room, he
could hear her
cry.
Full of
compassion, Elza
considered:
- Joe, when a
couple does not
get along
anymore. it is
preferable to
separate lest
something worse
happens.
Besides,
everything
changes! Prayer
works miracles.
When thinking of
your father,
wrap him up with
affection. Think
you're giving
him a hug from a
distance. Do the
same with your
mother.
- I'll try. Does
this help?
- It really
does. Your
parents need
help. Try also
talking to your
father. Talk to
him about the
need to quit
drinking.
Encourage him to
seek a support
group, and who
knows, the
situation might
improve?
The boy was all
excited. He knew
that his father
still loved his
mother and was
also suffering
from the
separation.
The boys became
friends and
visited each
other
frequently. They
helped each
other with
languages,
teaching each
other their own
language.
Some time later,
Dorothy, Joe's
mother, along
with her husband
and son arrived
at Matthew's
house.
They were
received with
great affection
by the owners of
the house.
Dorothy told
them the news:
- My husband and
I will give it
another chance.
He stopped
drinking and is
doing fine. Then
we will be a
family again! -
she exclaimed,
exchanging with
her husband a
look full of
love and hope.
Everyone was
happy with the
solution. Joe,
his eyes
shining, said:
- I owe
everything to
both you. You
were my greatest
supporters
during these
times of
trouble. Thanks.
Elza smiled and
said:
- Thanks be to
Jesus! He is one
who supported
and strengthened
us so that you
could resolve
your conflicts.
Joe suggested
that they should
say a prayer and
everyone agreed.
And there, the
two families
united, now by
ties of deep
affection,
raised their
thoughts to
Jesus, full of
gratitude.
Meimei
(Psycographed by
Celia X. Camargo
on 31/01/2011.)
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