New son, new brother!

Carlos was a teenager, age where rebelliousness takes place constantly. He complained about everything and seemed to be always unhappy. He complained about his family, school, food, clothes, home, friends.

In face of that, people started avoiding him, because no one likes moody people.

One day, he was particularly unpleasant. He had argued with his little sister, broke a toy of hers on purpose and hit the dog. His mother called his attention softly, saying: — My son, for us to get along well with people, we need to love and respect evryone around us and everything that surrounds us. We all love you, but no one can  take  your  bad temper. What’s going
on? You’ve got everything and seems to be always annoyed! Don’t be so mean. There are people far more troubled in the world and they don’t complain as much. Think about it!

Carlos, very angry, and even more annoyed whith his mom’s words, mumbled:

— No one understands me here! Everything is my fault!

He crossed the garden to leave; as he was opening the gate, stopped, and saw a young beggar.

Had it been other times, he would have shoved the boy. Despite himself, though, it set him thinking. His mom’s words were still in his ears. He knew she was right. He felt his friends were avoiding him, not getting closer to him; his little sister who used to like him, was now afraid of him.

— I’m starving. Have you got some bread? — asked the boy with a sad look.

The boy’s words touched him. It must be hard to be hungry — he thought.

Moved by the situation, Carlos rushed home and came right after with a glass of milk and a sandwich that he made himself.

While the boy ate, he sat closer to him on the sidewalk, and started talking.

— My name is Carlos. What about yours? — he asked.

— Pedro.

— And where do you live, Pedro? — he asked

— I live far from here, with some people who invited me to. I have no family — said the little boy, nodding his head, sadly.

As he saw Pedro complaining for not having a family, Carlos replied, bluntly:

— I envy you, Pedro. Having a family is so annoying! The mother especially, who picks on us all the time. I’d love to leave alone!

The boy looked upon and Carlos noticed he was about to cry.

— You have no idea of what it is to live alone, Carlos. Not having a home, a family, a dad, a mom; not having anyone who strokes your hair, instructs you, and even argues with you. Someone to talk to, talk abou t your problems, your doubts. Someone who, whenever you get sick, give you some medicine and be there for you. You don’t know what it is to live alone. Especially, having no mom.

Carlos noticed he made a mistake, and, ashamed he agreed:

— You are right, Pedro. I don’t know what I was thinking. But, what about the family you have now? Aren’t they any good?

— They are very nice. Look, I haven’t met my father, and when my mom got sick and died, this family came to my help. So, I don’t want to be ungrateful, I owe much to them. Despite being extremely poor, they were there when I needed the most. But it’s not the same thing. I miss “my mom”, you see?       

— I see.

In that moment Carlos felt the importance of having a family, of having a mom. His heart was filled with something that blossomed in his inner self and he had never realized before, worried about himself: LOVE.

What the two boys couldn’t tell, though, was that right there Pedro’s mom hugged them, disincarnated.

So Carlos had an idea. So much compassion for Pedro made him invite the boy to come in.

— Come with me. I want you to meet my mom.

So they came. Carlos introduced Pedro to his mom. He was so different, moved, and soon she realized something had happened to him.

— Welcome, Pedro. But, what happened, honey?  

— Mommy! I know that Mother’s Day is looming and I am used to giving you something. Would you take any gift at all?

— Of course, sweetheart! But, I don’t need any gifts. I’ve got you!

— But I want to give you a present, mom.

— Whatever it is, I’ll take it, son.

Getting closer to Pedro, who heard the entire conversation, Carlos put his arm on his shoulder, and, visibly moved, said:

— Would you take a new son, mom? So, I’d have another brother!

— But... what about Pedro’s family, darling?

Carlos told his mom the situation, but she was still in doubt, so she  asked:

— Pedro, what about these people who live with you? They are your friends! Don’t you think they would be sad without you?

Surprised and at the same time delighted with Carlos, over the moon, he answered:

— No, ma’am. They are indeed my friends, I like them very much and I’ll always be thankful for. They helped me in a time of necessity, when my mother died and I was alone. But I believe for them it would be a relief not have one more person to eat. You know, life’s so difficult!...

— And would you like to live here with us? Well, it seems that Carlinhos didn’t ask your opinion and we need to know what you really want!

The boy smiled, happily:

— I’d absolutely love to have a new family!

Also touched with Pedro’s situation, the mother no longer had doubt. She ran up to them, huggung them, saying to her son:

— Carlos, your father and I have always wanted to adopt another kid, but we feared your reaction. Your dad and sister will be so happy about that.

Then, she looked at Pedro, and said:

— Welcome, my son, to you new home.   

And on that day, happines came back to that house, with the blessing from God.

Carlos became a more understanding boy, happy, because he would no longer think solely about himself, also thinking about the others.

Some days later, united to have lunch, his current family and the former one, they celebrated Mother’s Day all together, as if they were a big family.

Also there, in a state of happiness was Pedro’s mom, who involved everyone with love and joy.