Kindness breeds kindness

I always thought that I had no future in true happiness. I imagined my life alone after all the pain I'd caused.

In this new country with my daughter, my wife and my mother-in-law, I'm learning to love while being loved.

Our house is in a place surrounded by plants and animals, the opposite of what I'm used to.

At first I didn't like the place because of the mosquitoes, but I soon discovered ways to keep them away with neighbors who live a little closer.

People are kind to each other, they helped us with everything we needed. My mother-in-law loved the country and started a new hobby. Plants became her fun hobby that she loves to take care of and collect.

My beautiful daughter loves her school friends and her new school.

I remember the uneasiness when we first arrived, the way Andreia was wary of my touch, always on guard. Her mother, my mother-in-law, completely dark, silent in a corner.

It was hard for all of us to forget what had happened.

We never had a strong enough bond to open up to each other, but everything changed because of an unexpected invitation from our neighbors.

At the end of the week, we spent the whole day doing nothing, watching TV, while Andreia spent the day with our daughter.

The mother-in-law was quiet in her room, not wanting to talk to anyone. I was a complete stranger in that house.

But the knock on our door with a friendly smile from strangers changed our lives.

"Hello, neighbor!" said a smiling middle-aged man with his wife by his side and children in bathing suits.

"Hello," I said a little shyly, not expecting to open the door and find people smiling at me.

"My grandson dropped the ball in your field, could you please pick it up for us?"

" Of course. " I walked to the field to pick up the ball, not realizing that they were following us.

"Oh, your house is beautiful!" The man's wife said behind me.

I didn't react at all, it was hard to know what to say. They hadn't been invited in, but they were already in the house.

We arrived at the house and my daughter was excited to see the children. Andreia seemed surprised to see these strangers, and when her face changed, I realized I had made a mistake.

"Your wife is beautiful," said the shy little girl.

"She's an angel, you silly girl!" Said her little brother.

Andreia laughed sweetly, a smile that made my heart leap for joy. How long had it been since her smile had disappeared?

The children introduced themselves to my daughter, asking her questions and inviting her to play with them.

Her grandparents smiled happily and invited us to their family barbecue.

I wanted to go, I wanted to see my wife smile a little more, but I held back my desire and waited patiently for her answer.

The answer didn't come from her, but from her mother.

From the kitchen door she came out of her bedroom for the first time in ages.

"That's a good idea, it's been a long time since we left the house," she replied kindly and went to introduce herself to the neighbors.

The man was excited, but was soon slapped by his wife, who called him a naughty boy, which made everyone laugh.

"Honey, I was just being nice"

"I know your kindness!" He turned to my mother-in-law: "Everyone is welcome in my house, sorry, my husband."

"There's nothing to apologize for," my mother-in-law replied.

Andreia still looked unsure, but the woman approached her gently and took her hand.

"We know what you're going through, you'll be surprised when you come to my house, everyone is modest, there's no need to be shy. "

Andreia accepted the invitation for our little girl, who had asked so much to go and play with her new friends.

We went to the neighbor's house where the noise was loud and people were moving around. Some were shouting like mad at a table, the women were talking in the kitchen, and the children were playing in the pool.

They didn't seem surprised by my wife's appearance, they were super friendly without asking uncomfortable questions.

Soon a woman came out of the house, totally bald but super excited, and only then did Andreia feel comfortable.

We immediately realized that this woman was also sick, but instead of being sad about her hair, she was enjoying life to the fullest.

She laughed, played with the children, danced, ate her favorite foods, and received all the love from her family.

The women of the family made it a point to include Andreia in their group.

While I was dragged into the men's circle to try drinks I'd never tasted before. They made me eat everything and drink several beers and liquors.

My mother-in-law talked to the owner of the house who showed her her garden. Enchanted by the beautiful place, they talked about plants and other things I didn't understand.

Andreia was with the women whose laughter worried me to death.

"We'll bring your wife back in one piece, don't worry." Lol.