MIchael

 Photo taken by Yvan Drake - on the day of the crime...

Foto tirada por Yvan Drake, no dia do crime

Friends are those who come to your life and just stay.

Years ago, I had a work colleague called Michael. He was a nice guy, witty, fun to be around. One day we met at a charity walk and he met my girls. They were 8 and 10 back then. The girls had a disagreement and started hitting each other as one does. 

Michael looked terrified, and could not help but say out loud:

- Oh My God, these are horrible, horrible kids...

I burst out laughing. My children were not impressed at all. Michael became a friend, became part of our kiwi family. He was always around. He pampered the girls, gave his time, love and attention. We never spoke about it again.

About a week ago ( 4 years later), Lia, my youngest said, out of the blue:

- Well, I think we can forgive Michael now. His crime has expired...

 Photo taken in my house, as if he had never said a word...

Foto tirada na minha casa, como se ele nunca tivesse falado nadinha...

Tem amigos que entram na nossa vida e ficam para sempre. O Michael e um deles. Nos trabalhavamos juntos na SITEL, em Palmy. Nova Zelandia.

O cara era legal, bem humorado, divertido.

Um dia, nos nos encontramos num desses eventos de caridade, e eu estava com as minhas filhas. Elas tinham na epoca, 8 e 10 anos. Sabe-se la por que, as duas se pegaram de tapa. Eu, acostumadissima com a pancadaria, nem percebi.

De repente, o Michael naos e aguenta e solta:

- Criancas terriveis! Essas criancas sao terriveis...

Rolei de rir, mas nenhuma das duas compartilhou a piada.

Michael passou a fazer parte do nosso dia a dia, se transformou num grande amigo.

Esses dias ( 4 anos depois), eu e a Lia estavamos no carro e ela lasca:

- Acho que vou perdoar o Michael. O crime dele prescreveu...

 Photo taken in my house - 3 years ago - even baby Mia was there

Foto tirada na minha casa - 3 anos atras - ate a Mia estava na cena