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A NEW LIFE

I was 11 years old when the 25th of April revolution took place, and my brothers were already at university. My parents, who were around 45 at the time, suffered greatly from the changes. They had never been supporters of the old regime, and we never talked about politics at home, but my father was persecuted. Our old farm in Carcavelos was expropriated for the construction of the highway, and we moved from the countryside to a third-floor apartment in Oeiras.

I grew up in a traditional family, and at the time, children had little involvement in adult life, but were shaped by a careful upbringing. It was only later that I realized how much my parents sacrificed for their children.

We lived in a neighborhood with many families from Mozambique, who were more open and relaxed. We learned from each other, and many did not know how to distinguish good from bad. Some friends lost their way down dangerous paths, but the values I was taught helped me to maintain my balance. The worst thing I did, because I saw others doing it, was to steal my father’s car—he pretended not to know—but I never hurt anyone. I believe I learned how to combine freedom and responsibility.

My name is Gonçalo, I am now 62 years old—life goes by so fast—and one of the greatest blessings in my life has been my children, the fruit of my love for Isabel, which began when we were 18. We shared many years together, but the relationship recently ended, worn down mainly by circumstances that affected our marriage. We lived in Lisbon, Isabel worked in a bank, which she left traumatized, and for months, we took care of her parents every day, who eventually passed away in our home. All of this affected us deeply, leaving us profoundly exhausted. With our children now independent and well-guided, we both felt it was time to turn the page. We wanted a new life.

And that’s how I ended up on Terceira Island, where I discovered that it is possible to live differently. In Lisbon, I would leave home at night and return after dark. Here, there is time to breathe, because the pace of life is different: people leave work and still have sunshine, time, and quality of life. Life is better, and I’m not talking about material wealth, but peace and well-being.

By: Lígia Gonçalves

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