God Was With Him

By Elisa Masselli

This is a story filled with suspense, secrets, and discoveries!
Walther was young, lived in the United States, had a defined profession, and leading a peaceful life. However, after his mother's death, secrets were revealed to him, which led him to make a decision that would radically change his life.
To undertake a long trek journey on concepts, he reviewed ideas, and prejudices and became known and journeyed notions spirituality.
He couldn't imagine, but while walking, GOD WAS WITH HIM.
Elisa Masselli 
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Spiritist Institute
• Release date: Feb 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215524220

Book preview

God Was

With Him

Elisa Masselli

Translation to Spanish,

Brenda Araujo, Gonzales.

Lima, Peru, April 2021

Original Title in Portuguese,

‘Deus Estava com Ele’

© Elisa Masselli

Reviewer:

Evelyn Solis Ayala

World Spiritist Institute

Houston, Texas, USA

E–mail, [e-mail]

About the Medium

Born on 9/11/1943, Elisa Masselli was a poor girl, but never unhappy. Her mother had the theory that a child needed to play, because when she grew up, she would have a lot of problems, so her mother was responsible for the household chores. During her childhood she always played a lot. At 17, her sister Nair, who raised her, fell into a deep depression until she attempted suicide twice. After several hospitalizations, her sister committed suicide by hanging herself in the shower. That destroyed everything she had learned about God. However, she soon met a man who gave her the book "Our Home" (Nosso Lar) by André Luiz. As she loved reading, she fell in love with the book and its content, and said: I started reading, and I fell in love. Perhaps, because it was what I wanted to hear, that my sister maybe was not in a good place, but that she was not alone and that at any moment she could be rescued and have a new opportunity to reincarnate. I read that book quickly and Mr. José brought me the entire collection of André Luiz's books. When I finished reading them all, I was in love with everything I had read, so I began to attend the Spiritist Federation of the state of São Paulo.

In 1964, she married Henrique, who died in 1984. I suffered a lot when I saw my husband's suffering, because for everyone and especially for me, he did not deserve to suffer the way he suffered, but I had learned that everything was always fine and that God was the one who knew why things happened, so I didn't despair.

In 1991, without knowing why and how, she began to hear voices and one of them had told her that she would have to write novels with teachings. For psychiatry, this was nothing more than a psychotic crisis. After a turbulent phase of depression and doubts, she came up with the idea of writing a book, which began to take over her thoughts, so she decided to write just as a hobby. Little by little the story emerged. I couldn’t believe that I was writing a story like that. I cried and laughed while writing. When it was ready, I sent it to the editor of Dona Zibia Gasparetto. Title: 'When the past doesn't pass.' In that moment she remembered what some voice had told her: The name does not matter, what matters is that you write." Thus, the writer Elisa Masselli was born.

Contents

PREFACE

1.  THE DIVORCE

2.  GETTING TO KNOW PAULO

3.  PAULO’S STORY

4.  CHANGE OF PLANS

5.  PREJUDICE

6.  THE SURPRISE

7.  LETTER FROM PAULO

8.  THE DECISION

9.  RE-EVALUATING VALUES

10.  THE HOUSE WITH MANY WINDOWS

11.  THE CONFRONTATION

12.  THE ACCIDENT

13.  BROKEN DREAMS

14.  ANGELS ON THE ROAD

15.  DECISIONS AND RESCUES

16.  THE DESTINATION OF THE STONE

17.  PARTNERS ON THE JOURNEY

EPILOGUE

PREFACE

Whenever, I started writing a book, I never know how the story should go; I know that the story will come in fragments.

One morning, when I almost awake, as always, I heard a man's voice saying:

‘An abandoned woman.’

I woke up, foreknowing that my next story would be about an abandoned woman. I smiled and I started to write.

Since I always do, I did not trouble myself to think about how the story, neither about its characters, because I knew they would come. Not only story, though in my opinion, the most important thing: the teaching about spirituality. When I write, I do not really care about the shape or the story itself, I just write.

However, this book it was different. At one moment, after I finished a chapter, I paused to think. I know many people who, like me, have often been tempted to abandon the Doctrine, and others who have actually abandoned it. The reason was, is, and will always be the same: consciousness and unconsciousness.

As I was always consciousness and saw that the people next to me said they were unconsciousness, I thought they were lying, doing a ‘drama’. I frequently left spiritism houses, although I still believed in the Doctrine and I tried to live the best way possible and bring it in my life without having to go to these houses and lying about a sponsor, which I did not think I had. But, for some reason, I always came back. During one such dropout, I was waking up and I heard a man’s voice:

‘What matters is the message’. I woke up completely and thought,

That’s right! No matter how the messages arrive, the important thing is that they arrive.

Thereafter, I no longer cared who conveyed them or in what way, whether by books or words. I just started to get the best of them. At that time, I never imagined that one day I would write. When I wrote my first book, I did not think that wonderful story was mine for a minute. I was sure I was being intuited. I knew, and I know that, because of the lack of education I have, I cannot write a story like that or the others that came after. People ask me what the name of the sponsor is who writes with me. In fact, I can’t say because I don’t know. If I wanted to, I could make up any name and no one would dispute it, but it wouldn’t be the truth.

I think my sponsor doesn't want to identify himself because if he wanted to, he would. On any morning, as I always do, I would wake up hearing his name. After this book, my concern became null, because I understood, through him, the enormous job that the spiritual plane has to do with the mediums so that they believe and surrender.

Today, I am sure that the most important things are the MESSAGES, no matter how they arrive. Therefore, I can only say: if you, spiritist or not, believing or not, want to write, WRITE. If you want to speak, SPEAK. If you want to compose a song, COMPOSE; receiving and thanking with affection the INTUITION or, if you prefer it, the INSPIRATION that comes, facilitating in a great measure, the life in the spiritual plane. Because, in the end, what really matters is the MESSAGE.

Elisa Masselli

1.

THE DIVORCE

Walther entered the house accompanied with Steven, his childhood friend and best man. He took off the tie and the jacket, threw them on a sofa, went to the bar, and prepared two drinks.

He was nervous and started to talk out loud,

‘Steven! Can you explain it to me? How has my life changed this way? As I try, I might, I cannot believe my marriage ended in such a depressing way.’

Steven, taking Walther’s glass, said, ‘I confess that I am also impressed.’

‘I never imagined this would happen.’

‘You represented the perfect couple. I witnessed the beginning of it all, and always you were happy.’

‘Do you remember how I met Eileen?’

‘Of course, I remember! I was at Brian’s birthday party. That you did not want to go, and I had to talk you into it.’

‘I was… you almost had to oblige me. I never imagined I would find someone, especially a woman. I found her, and I was happy.’

‘I really was. You did not see her when she arrived. As usual, you were surrounded by girls.’

‘I do not know what I possessed or have to attract them.’

Steven, with a naughty look, said: ‘Charming, my friend. Charming…’ Walther began to laugh and said: ‘You are really a clown.’

‘Maybe because I have always been, and I am fine in life.’

‘I do not understand how that could be so. You look like. nothing hits you, that you never had any problem!’

‘It depends on to what you think is a problem. Sometimes I had to make decisions, but I had a theory, ‘If there is a problem, there is definitely a solution. That’s scientific!’

‘Problems that involve numbers don’t get scared me, since I almost always have a hard time solving life problems...’

‘Well, I have difficulties with numbers, but talk on about Eileen.’

‘At that party, I was bored because you know that I do not like parties, especially those birthday parties, but you told me I had to go since Brian was our friend. As soon as she arrived, I couldn’t look any other way. It was passion at first sight. She was beautiful.’

‘Eileen is really beautiful. I soon realized that you were fascinated, I couldn’t believe it when I saw you walking towards her.’

‘I remember that a smooth song started to sound.’

‘I approached her and asked shyly, want to dance? She looked at me for a few seconds, smiled, opened her arms, and we started dancing.’

‘From that day on we began to meet more and more assiduously.’

‘In less than six months we got married. I never thought all that love would end, and all of the sudden…’

‘You are right, everyone was surprised. By the marriage in the first place, because you said you would never get married.’

‘I was the last one in the class that remained single. And then, the break-up.’

‘We would never think this would happen. Not to you…’ Walther returned to the bar and served another glass.

He could not control the hate that he felt at this moment, he continued talking, ‘How could she, before the judge, say all that? How could a love like ours suddenly become something so small?’

‘I cannot understand. Was she right in her complaints?’

‘She complained about what?’

‘Many things that I thought were unimportant at that moment. But now I am thinking.’

‘Maybe she had reasons to complain.’

Why do you say so?’

‘To maintain my position in the company, I have to work hard. So, I worked late into the night. I came home usually tired. I worked even on the weekends. She is a young and beautiful girl, she wanted to go out dancing, go to the theater, or simply to the cinema.

‘I always refused to go out of the house. In time, I grew further apart, I did not want her to lack anything. I wanted to have all the money I needed to buy or whatever I wanted. I recognize today that I have become an unbearable partner. Often complained.

‘Now I remember one night when I was here in this room, reading some documents, for the next morning, I would have to make a presentation. She came over and kissed me. I put my face away.

‘She, crying, said: ‘Never mind me! I’m tired 'of being home with nothing to do!’

‘I want to work’, I replied. ‘I have my own money! Why don´t I care? What do you mean you have nothing to do? The house is big! There is so much work here! You don’t need to have your own money! It's got everything you need, you´ve never lacked anything! That’s why I work so hard!’

‘I know you work and do not want me to miss anything, but you do not give me the main thing, your company, your affection! I am always very lonely, so I need to do something to distract myself!’

‘So, find something to do, go shopping, to the hairdresser. Whatever you want to do, but leave me alone. When I get home, I need to be quiet. I already have a lot to worry about all day! The problems in the company are many. You know I must bring some work to do at home! My salary is high! I must work hard to earn it! I cannot stand your useless complaints! You should complain if I hang out in bars, drink or go out with friends! Then there would be enough reason to complain! But all I do is think of you, of your well-being! In our future.’

‘When I listen to you talk like this; I think we have no future!’

‘What are you saying?’

‘I am saying nothing...’

Steven, who until now listened silently to his friends’ outburst, asked: ‘Did you ever stop to think that maybe she was right?

‘No. I considered her pampered, useless, and ungrateful since I worked so hard just to give her comfort, I thought that she had no reason to complain. Could it be just that?’ Walther’s eyes widened, ‘why do you ask that?’

‘I know you very well. We grew up together. You were never one to talk too much, but in school, you always got noticed at the head of the class. Because of that, I think you’ve always been thinking of yourself. To show the company that you were the best.’

‘You are offending me, Steven!’

‘Now, Walther, there is no offense between friends. I am not offending you; we are just talking; I am being honest. You did not really want to show your work to your superior?

Walther was silent, thinking. After a few seconds, he answered: ‘Maybe you are right, Steven, all my life, I’ve always done everything in the best possible way.’

‘This is not a defect, but a quality. As long as it is without exaggeration.’

‘Did Eileen feel that too, Steven?’

‘Every time we had these fights, she would go to the room crying. Sometimes I would walk up to her, apologize and promise to change, but it was useless. After a few days, I went back to work again and it was back to the way it was. I do not know when or how she got involved with someone else. One day, without my waiting, she said: ‘I want a divorce!’ It gave me a big scare.

‘What? Do you want a divorce? Are you crazy?’

‘No, I am not crazy, I want a divorce because I found someone who loves me, respects me, and makes me very happy.’

‘Are you saying you have someone else? Are you saying that you were cheating on me?’

She was calm, Steven. And she spoke firmly, that is right. I met this guy, we fell in love, and to stop cheating on you anymore, I want a divorce!

‘I was puzzled, I never thought that someday it could happen.

‘Very angry, I asked: ‘Who is he? He is rich? Can he give you more comfort than me?’

‘No, he is not rich but he loves me and gives me all the attention you never gave.’

‘If he does not have money and you have no work, what will you live on? You are thinking I will give you a pension to support a homeless man! Is that what you think?’

‘Why do you have to put money in front of everything? How we will live, it´s none of your business. I just want a divorce. You know I have my rights, but I won´t want anything. The rest is my problem.’

‘That same night she left the house, Steven. From then on, we only talked through the lawyers.’

‘You know that I bought this house before the wedding. She did not want to take anything she had there. Not even the pension, even though she knew she was entitled. I told her I did not think it was fair because I had bought everything’

‘She only wanted her freedom. The divorce process was quick.’

‘It took us all by surprise.’

‘Now, I wonder, was it worth it that I worked so hard? Did I love her? Today, looking at her, she looked like a stranger.

But, anyway, now it is all over. I am lost, not knowing what to do with my life.

‘Do you still love her?’

‘I do not think so. At first, I loved her, but slowly, all that love got colder.

Soon it became routine. I used to come, take a shower, have dinner, watch TV, or review some documents.

A normal life, like many.

I also thought it was normal. I thought I was doing the best for our future.

‘You thought so, Walther, but she thought differently. She was not worried about the future, she wanted to live in the present.’

‘That must have been it. Fortunately, we did not have children, because if that had happened, today the situation would be much worse.’

‘You are right about that. A child would only complicate things now. But, anyway, it is done.’

‘Now you have to start your life over again. Another love will emerge. Maybe next time you will not make the same mistakes.’

‘I do not know if I can love again or give myself in the same way. I fel like a loser.’

‘What is that, my friend? You are still very young! Besides, you have another advantage.’

‘What advantage?

‘You are only twenty-nine years old. You are handsome, financially well off, single, and can have the woman you want and without guilt.’

‘You know me very well, you know I have a hard time approaching people, especially women.’

‘I do not know what will happen. Eileen’s attitude reminds me of my mother.’

‘Your mother? Why?’

‘She also always seemed so sad too. I often wanted to talk to her, to know the reason for that sadness the reason for that sadness. Why did she cry from time to time? I never got results.’

‘Could it be that, like Eileen, you also felt very lonely? Although she was a great mother, I always thought she was a bit strange.’

‘I never wanted to talk much about the family or friends I left in Brazil, every time she asked, I answered:

‘I have no family there. When my parents died, I was still very young. I met your father, we fell in love, you were born, we got married and came here.’ The phone rang. Walther answered: ‘Hello! Hi, Mom, how are you?’

‘I’m fine darling son, just called to find out how was the forum?’

‘It was all fast and frosty, Mom. She and I looked like two enemies. We barely looked at each other.’

‘Her friend was there, but strangely enough, I didn’t feel anything.’

‘It was better that way. Now, you must start your life over. Son, I need you to come here.’

‘I am not well, so before I die need to tell you some things…’

‘Die? What is this? You will live longer!’

‘There is no point in trying to fool me or mislead me. You know as well as I do that my illness has no cure and that I will be going to God to give my accounts in any moment.’

‘What do you have to say, Mom? And a perfect woman! Wonderful!’

‘I am not wonderful or perfect. Son, the matter is very serious.’

‘Well, I am going to take a shower, change my clothes and go there. Steven is here. Can I take him too?’

‘You know how much I like Steven, but what I have to talk about is very serious. I would like you to come alone.’

‘OK. I will be there soon. I will eat that food that only you know how to make.’

‘Come, my son. I will be waiting.’

Walther hung up the phone. He felt oppression in his heart and knew she was telling the truth, all the treatment indicated by the doctor was being done, but he knew it wasn’t working. He also knew he couldn’t do anything. Sadly, he said,

‘Steven, you know that Mom’s not well. She wants me to come over there, she said that she has overcome a serious matter to talk to me about. So, she asked me to go alone. Do you understand?

Steven got up from the couch and replied, ‘Of course I understand. You know how much I like your mother. I have some difficulty understanding what he says, but I’ve always managed to communicate.’

‘You were always very clever. You even learned a few words in Portuguese.’

‘It was not difficult. I was a child, and a child learns easily. Go talk to your mother, don’t worry about me, because I could not go either. You know I have a beautiful woman waiting for me for dinner.’

‘I do not want to make the same mistakes you did…’, he said mockingly.

Walther, laughing, threw a pillow over him. Steven hugged him and said, ‘My friend, stay calm.’

‘Think only of your mother, who now needs a lot of love right now.’

‘I am thinking and sorry for not being able to do anything to help her.’

‘You know, if you need to, just call, I will come later.’

‘I know. You are a great friend. The best of all!’

Walther walked him to the door. As soon as Steven left, he went to get ready to leave. He knew his mother had little time to live, so he stayed if she could by her side. He changed clothes and went to her house.

When he arrived, she was already waiting for him, opened the door, smiling, ‘I’m glad you are here! I’ve been missing you!’

‘Mrs. Geni... Mrs. Geni... Whoever hears her talk like that will think I never come to visit you.’

‘I was here on Sunday and today is still Wednesday.’

‘I know, you are a lovely son. Let’s have dinner, then we have a lot to talk about!’

‘We always talk a lot, Mom!’

‘But today the subject will be different…’

‘What could that be? I am getting curious!’

‘First, let’s have dinner and talk about good things.’ They came in there was a table was already set. They sat down, and Marita stood aside, waiting for the order to serve.

Walther asked: ‘How are you, Marita?’

She, speaking in a mixture of Portuguese and Spanish, replied: ‘She is ok, your mother was anxious for your arrival.’

‘I arrived, and I am very hungry. Is dinner ready?’

‘Yes, I made everything she likes!’

Mother and son sat down. They ate, talking about amenities. After dinner, they went to the living room. Walther was worried about his air of weakness, but the doctor had already told him it would be so.

All I had to do was give him all the attention he deserved. She held his hands, looking into his eyes, and said: ‘I always told you that in Brazil there was no one in my family, that everyone was dead, but that there was someone there. If you ever want, you can look for him. He is my brother, his name is Paulo.’

Walther, surprised, asked, ‘What are you saying? Do you have a brother in Brazil? Why did not you ever tell me about him?’

‘Yes, he is not really my brother, but it’s as if he was. He is a great friend.

I never told you about him, because there was no need. When you’re young, we think we will never get old, let alone die. All these years, I have been corresponding with him, without your father’s knowledge.’

‘Why could not my father know?’

‘It was a promise I made. I loved him very much. When I decided to accompany him, I promised him that I would break all the ties that bound me to Brazil, including Paulo. Because I loved him, I accepted. Later, I often regretted it, as I missed Brazil so much. Basically, I always held out hope of someday returning.

That’s why I made sure you learned to speak, read and write in Portuguese. Brazil is your land, it was the place where you were born. If one day you need or want to get to know your country, just look for Paulo. He’ll welcome you with open arms.’

Walther was surprised by this confession. Why had she never told me anything about this Paulo before? She got up, went to her room, brought a small box, and handed it to Walther, who opened it.

Inside were several Christmas cards. He noticed that every year, Paulo sent a card to his mother.

He read some, but all contained only those already printed words. In the he wrote in his own hand. Paulo’s sincere wish. They were all the same.

After returning them to the box, he asked: ‘Why didn’t you ever tell me about him, mom?’

‘As it was not important, I never thought I would die so soon. Your father never knew of these letters.’ Walther did not understand why but did not discuss it. She must have had her reasons.

His only concern at that time was with her health. She was frail; her voice was low and demanding. He did not want to ask any; she realized she did not want to continue that conversation.

He wanted to return the box, but she did not accept it and said, ‘Take it with you, maybe someday you will need it. I need to make another request. You and I both know I have little time to live. As much as we tried, we could not fight the cancer that attacked me, so I want you, when you die, to write to this address that’s here, it’s Paulo’s address, report my death.’

‘What is it, Mom? You will not die!’

‘I will, and you know it! You must communicate with Paulo! Promise me you will!’

He found those strange words, but he did not argue. He took the box, kissed his mother, and said, ‘I will, of course, I will, but you will not die! Your treatment will continue and soon you will be fine!’

He said goodbye to her and Marita, who followed the whole conversation. Marita was Bolivian, she had been with them for a long time. She was more of a chaperone. Because of the proximity of languages, they two understood each other.

She was already a certain age, so she did not do the heavy lifting of the house, a black maid did it. Back, Walther was thinking about everything her mother had told her,

‘What a strange story it was! I didn’t understand anything.’ Upon entering the house, he went to the bar and prepared a drink in the living room. He sat on a sofa.

From where she was, she saw a picture on the wall; it was Eileen dressed as a bride.

He looked and thought, she is beautiful. She has a beautiful smile, but today I am sure she was not the woman of my life. I need to change the furniture in the house and remove this paint from the wall.

She chose everything here. I cannot deny that she has good taste, the house is very beautiful.

Now I remember how happy she was with every item she bought. Why did our marriage fail? Was it my fault for not paying the attention she wanted?

Or was it her not understanding that she only wanted the best? I do not know... I do not know...

He got up, went to the wall, removed the painting, and placed it on the table. He had to forget. I knew the marriage was broken and there would be no turning back. It was a page turned. He went to the room. He lay in bed and continued to think, ‘Steven is right. I am young, I have a whole life ahead of me. Maybe I will find the right woman, the one who’ll understand my way of life.

Steven, oh... Steven. How can it be like this? How can you accept everything without complaining?

He is always fine, mocking everything. Whoever has spoken to him and does not know his life, will find that he has no problem. He is a good friend. I do not know what I would have done if I had not had you as a friend.

The whole time of the divorce, he was always by my side. In fact, he has been by my side my whole life. He got up and went to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. It wasn’t right, He felt a void that he couldn’t explain. What am I feeling Why this feeling of helplessness? Why this discouragement?

I do not know what will happen. Even more now, knowing that I will also lose my mother.

I have no one else in the world. I am alone, completely alone... Now, ready to sleep, he lay down again and settled into bed, closing his eyes. But his head was boiling. Although I had many questions, he was also sleepy. The day had been exhausting. After a few seconds, he fell asleep.

2.

GETTING TO KNOW PAULO

Dear passengers, we will soon be landing at Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Place your seats upright position, fasten your seat belts and follow the non-smoking warnings. As soon as we land, keep your documents in hand so they can be presented to the local authorities. Don’t forget your carry-on luggage.

As the aircraft commander of the plane said these words, Walther was distracted, looking out the window, seeing lots of greenery and the cutting of the agricultural plantations. From above they looked as if they had been drawn. Their shapes were like perfect geometric figures.

He was enchanted by the beauty he could see from above. He took his passports out of his jacket pocket.

One with a green cover, Brazilian, the other, with a blue cover, American. He put the American one in his pocket. He opened the Brazilian passport, there was a name. Walther Soares Brown, of Brazilian nationality.

He looked at his photograph, thinking, I was born here in this country, but I do not know anything or, almost nothing about it, and much less consider myself Brazilian. I know a few things that my mom told me, but nothing more.

I also know that this is a third-world country. I cannot imagine what I might find, but as long as I’m here, I will have to behave like a native of the land, which I am, even though I have two citizenships, Brazilian by birth and American by affiliation. He would been thinking about it all along, ever since he received that letter from Paulo.

‘Dear Walther,

I know you do not know me. I do not know if your mother told you anything about me.

I received your letter notifying me that she had passed away. As I am very ill, I would like you to come to visit me, so that you can also know this country that, besides being wonderful, is yours. I have a long story to tell you and it must be done before my death. Please take my order.

Someone who appreciates you very much,

Paulo.’

Walther had received that letter a few days ago. He had his life walking along without much emotion. Very sad, because in addition to the divorce, his mother had passed away. He was feeling lonely.

When he finished reading, he began to think: I miss receiving an invitation like this.

I don’t know my uncle Paulo. I only heard about him, shortly before my mother’s death. When she died, I did what I had promised, I sent him a letter telling him what happened.

I didn’t think you would answer me, much let that you would make such an invitation….

At first, I did not know if I would accept it. I did not know if I could leave the company and take a few days off, but I needed it. Apart from my losses, everything is fine in my life.

I have been in the company for a long time. I am doing very well on the professional side, however, on my sentimental side, I have never been very successful. When I married Eileen, I thought it would be forever, but it did not last long.

In reality, I never met that woman who would make me happy, who would be my partner for the rest of my life. I had several relationships, one of which lasted six months, but like the others, it also ended.

I’m now twenty-nine years old now. I feel the need to have children, but I refuse because I am afraid I will not be able to continue with their growth if the marriage ends, as has already happened...

He looked out the window of the plane again. Now he could see the houses, streets, and cars in motion. They were small, more like toys for children. The city from the top seemed to be big.

He looked and thought, now I am returning to this land that was my cradle, but for which I feel nothing and know nothing. The little I know was what my mother told me, As, you know, your father is American, he went to work in a hotel in Brazil. The hotel belonged to his family.

He went as a manager to supervise everything. I was very young; I was born in Ceará.

My parents died when I was very young. I had no family; I was raised by a lady who was a friend of my mother. When I was sixteen, she also died, I was alone in the world, and, like other people, to escape the drought, I went to live in Goiás.

I, like everyone, got there without a fixed place to stay. One of my friends was looking for his father’s cousin, who had moved a few years earlier. We traveled by truck, which was called a ‘macaw stick’.

We spent some time living in this cousin’s house. My friend, through her cousin, soon found work in a hotel, as a maid. For a girl like me, uneducated, it was very difficult to find work, but through this friend, I started working at the hotel as a housekeeper.

One day, my friend said, ‘You do not have to worry, I will teach you all the work, in a few days you will be the best maid that ever existed!’

I was a little scared. Humble, I would not open my mouth to say anything, because I was afraid to say something wrong.

Honestly, I soon learned about the job. I cared for the rooms with all my affection.

Any customer would feel good inside them. When I entered the first room, I was delighted with what I was seeing.

Never in my life had I seen such beauty. I have always lived in a simple house.

Our home, in addition to being small, had nothing luxurious. A room of that size and with curtains was something wonderful.

I learned to make the beds and fold the sheets, making them very beautiful.

‘One morning, my superior called me and said, ‘You need to check the master bedroom to see if everything is in order. An American will come and stay here for a while. He comes to see if everything is in order. I don’t know, but it looks like the owner’s son.’

‘For the first time, I went to the main room to see if it was in order. As soon as I opened the door, I was delighted. That looked like heaven. I had found the other rooms beautiful, but the one I was seeing was much more. I entered slowly, it seemed that my presence there disturbed the atmosphere. I looked and arranged everything. I put flowers on and wondered what the American would be like.’

Walther smiled as she remembered her mother’s face when she told this story. In his mind, the image of her emerged. He kept thinking, she was beautiful… She did not need to die so soon... how I loved her and how she loved me… I remember the day when she was sick and told me, ‘I know I am very sick and I won’t live long, my son.’

I could not raise a family. Maybe it’s because she is not here.

I would very much like you to visit Brazil. It is a wonderful country. There is no snow, tidal waves, earthquakes, or hurricanes.

There is so much green, the sun shines and it’s hot all year long, even in winter.’

Walther reminded his mother’s words, every time he listened to her talking about it, he would say, ‘Mom, I know I was born in Brazil, but I do not feel Brazilian, I am American, I have lived here since I have known people, but I promise you that, as soon as an opportunity presents itself, I will go to know all that wander!’

‘Go, my son, I know you won’t regret it.’

To please her, I told her I would do that, but in fact, I never really felt like coming to Brazil.

There is nothing that identifies me with this land or these people. I am American and I still have the intention of being one. I will stay here as little as possible, so I already bought the return ticket.

While I was thinking, I looked over the window. I saw the Christ Redeemer and the Sugar Bread Mountain in the distance.

She had seen several photos in the newspapers. A Brazilian singer, Carmen Miranda, was very successful in the United States.

I was enchanted by the sea from above. I thought, as Mom said, nature was luxurious in this country.

Rio de Janeiro, seen from above, is so beautiful!

‘Dear passengers, we have just landed, please remain seated until the aircraft comes to a complete stop. We appreciate your preference and look forward to having you on board again.’

Walther remained seated, thinking of her mother, it was a pity that she died so soon... How I wish she were here beside me, returning to the land I loved so much.

The plane finally came to a stop. All the passengers began to get up and take their carry-on luggage.

Walther did the same. He took the only suitcase he had brought, as he did not intend to stay long, just a few days, to visit this uncle Paulo, whom his mother considered a brother, soon after he returned. There was a lot of work to be done.

He had asked for a few days off at the company, but he knew he couldn’t leave for long. He got off the plane and followed the passengers.

He knew how to speak, read and write in Portuguese, as his mother had taught him, besides, although he lived in the United States for a long time, he never wanted to learn English, because, in his heart, he hoped that someday he would return to Brazil, your land. Unfortunately, she was not able to realize her dream.

She died before that... Walther didn’t know his uncle, not even by a photograph. I was there, now, for making that promise to her mother, before she died. He was there only out of obligation, not that he really had feelings for his uncle or for Brazil.

As soon as he reached the lobby, he saw many people waiting for those who had arrived.

A sort of cordon was formed. Passersby were greeted by their relatives with hugs and kisses. He was looking everywhere, wanting to recognize his uncle, but no matter how hard he tried, he knew he wouldn’t recognize him.

Slowly, the passengers left and left. He stayed there, not knowing what to do. He had his uncle’s address, all he had to do was take a taxi to take him to that address.

He was thinking about doing the same when a man in a black suit approached, ‘Are you, Mr. Walther?’

‘Yes. But who are you? My uncle Paulo?’

‘No! My name is Isaias, I’m a driver and a friend of your uncle. He asked me to come to pick up you at the airport and to take you with him. I don’t know this city, so it took me a while. I was a bit lost, but where is your luggage?’

‘I didn’t bring much, only this suitcase with some clothes. I cannot, and I do not plan to stay for long.’

‘All right then. shall we?’

‘Yes, let’s go. I admit I’m a little tired. I left a big cold and now I find this wonderful sun here.

As my mother used to say, this land is really beautiful!’

‘It certainly is! And even more in December, in the middle of summer! I think that as much as your mother described Brazil to you, she could not convey it to you. This