Visiting Friends
       
 

Joel was a very mischievous boy who was always getting in trouble. One day his mother heard a loud noise and then the screams of Joel: - Ouch! Ouch! Ouch… Help! Help! ... Scared, she ran into the yard and saw her son sprawled on the floor. - I fell from the tree, Mom! Ouch! Ouch … My leg hurts! - shouted the boy, crying.

The mother called for help and soon an ambulance took Joel to the hospital. The doctor, after examining him and getting an x-ray done, broke the news:

- Joel, you've broken a leg bone, but it could have been worse!

After putting a cast on his leg and prescribing him a remedy for the pain, the doctor advised the mother:

- Dona Anna, Joel should move as little as possible, and when he does move, it should be on crutches. Please, return in thirty days so we can see how he is.

After thanking the doctor, mother and son returned home. Joel complained about everything: - And now I have to get some rest! I can not run, play football, nothing! And still I have to walk on crutches? ... The mother tried to calm him, lovingly: - Have patience, my son. After all, this is all a consequence of your actions. If you had not gone up the mango tree,
you would not have fallen. And the crutches do not represent evil, but good instead! After all, it is with them that you can walk now. So do not complain. Everything passes and soon you'll be fine again.

- But it hurts! The cast is heavy and bothers me! I can not stand it anymore! ...

- But you will have to stand it, my son. There is no other way! There are people in worse situations than yours, and they do not complain.

- No way! No one would stand this pain without complaining - he said, unhappy.

Joel gradually adapted to the aid of crutches, although it was tiring. He complained about going to school, being forced to walk with crutches, everything. One day, weary of his complaints, his mother invited him to go out.

- Where are we going, Mom?

- We are visiting someone I would like you to meet.

As there was no other way, resigned, Joel went with his mother. They got in the car and headed to a neighbourhood far away. Anna parked it in front of a small house, rang the bell and a nice lady answered, smiling:

- Anna! Good to see you! I missed you. Ah! Is this Joel, your son? Nice to meet you, Joel!

Embracing them, the housewife said to the boy:

- I see you are recovering, Joel. Come in! ...Marcia will be very happy to see you!

Who was Marcia? Curious, the boy accompanied the two ladies who were talking like old friends. They entered a small but nice room, full of sunlight and flowers that gave off a delicious perfume.

	In bed, there was a little girl with blond hair, soft eyes and a captivating smile. Adelaide introduced Joel to her daughter, Marcia, and left, leaving them alone to talk. - I see you've been hurt, Joel, but you will soon be well. God is a good and loving father, and always helps us when we are in trouble – she considered, with a beautiful smile.
Joel, as usual, took the opportunity to parade his sorrows:

- You say that because you are not in my skin, Marcia. I have suffered a lot. I have to use crutches for everything, which are heavy and make my arms sore.

- Oh … But you go to school, see friends, you can chat away! ...

- Yes … but I can not play ball, run...

- Be patient. Time goes by fast! Seize the opportunity to study, read a good book, listen to music, watch a good movie. There are so many things we can do! ...

For every one of his complaints, Marcia always had an optimistic, encouraging response, which turned out to annoy him. Selfish, he replied:

- You are optimistic because you do not know what I'm going through.

Saying this, he thought about it and realized that she was lying in bed on a beautiful sunny day, and asked:

- But why are you lying in bed when you could be enjoying this lovely afternoon?

With a serious expression, but serene, Marcia told him:

- Many years ago I was playing by the sidewalk when a car hit me, causing a serious fracture in my spine. So since then, I can not walk or sit down. I can only move my arms.

Joel blushed with shame for having been complaining about life to someone like Marcia, who could not even sit down. He apologized to her and asked how could she be so conformed and have such an optimistic view of her state, to which she replied:

- Oh, Joel! I was not always like this, believe me. At first, I rebelled. Then, as I know that God is a good and loving father, I realized that there must be a reason why this happened. Knowing that there are people worse off than me, people who are born blind, legless, armless, mentally disabled, I started to recognize how happy I am! I have a good home, loving family, I see and hear well, I have perfect health and lucid reasoning. I can read wonderful books, listen to beautiful music, chat with my friends. What more can I ask God ...?

Joel hung his head, moved. Then, looking at Marcia he said:

- Marcia, I thank God for having known you. I'm sure I will be someone different from now on. I would also like to be your friend. Can I visit you from time to time?

- Of course, Joel, whenever you want. I'll be very happy!

Right then, Adelaide and Anna arrived, with a delicious snack on a tray. They stopped and listened to the conversation. So, exchanging a look, they entered the room. Full of joy, the four had a very fruitful and enjoyable afternoon.
 

Meimei
 

(Psychographed by Celia Xavier de Camargo on 08/15/2011.)


1 In Brazilian society, Dona is a term of respect that is used with the woman's first name.