Let's Begin: The Journey of My Life
Let me take you on a journey through the ups and downs of my life, where everything started with the remarkable stories of my parents. Their resilience and love set the foundation for the person I am today.
My father, raised in the small town of Sobralia in Minas Gerais, faced immense challenges from a tender age. At the age of nine, he tragically lost his mother, and just a year later, his father remarried to a woman who didn’t want to care for his children. Abandoned by his own father at the age of ten, my father embarked on a difficult journey towards adulthood. It was during this time that he eventually moved to São Paulo, where fate brought him together with my mother.
My mother’s story is equally inspiring. Growing up in the south of Brazil, in the state of Paraná, she had a tough childhood. As a young girl, she started working in the cotton fields to support her family and contribute to the household expenses. Life was challenging, but she faced it with unwavering determination and strength.
And then there’s me, born in the outskirts of Campo Limpo, São Paulo. My childhood was far from glamorous, as the neighborhood I grew up in was plagued by violence. However, despite the circumstances, I look back on those years with fondness. We made the best of what we had, playing street volleyball, riding bikes, and flying kites. I have vivid memories of spending hours in my neighbor’s garden, climbing up trees and indulging in delicious mangoes. While my house had strawberries and guava, it was the mango tree that captured my heart.
When Life Flipped: My Upside-Down Journey
A Glowing Smile Captured Just 16 Days After Transplant – 1995
But my life took an unexpected turn when, at the age of seven, I was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease that causes scarring in the kidney filters. Despite this challenging health condition, my dreams of living abroad never waned. Even as a child, I was fascinated by different cultures and languages. I longed to speak English, Italian, and French. Though it seemed like my dream might slip away, I remained resilient and content, never once complaining about my health issues, as my mother fondly recalls.
In the midst of medical appointments and treatments, I found solace in small moments of joy. I remember the day of a blood test; my father, always caring, offered me a cheeseburger (a classic Brazilian “x-salada”). It might sound strange to some, but for me, it brought a sense of comfort and happiness. Despite our modest means, my family always provided everything we needed.
As time went on, my health deteriorated, and at the age of ten, it became clear that I needed a transplant to survive. My mother, my guardian angel, turned out to be a compatible donor. But before the transplant could take place, I had to undergo hemodialysis. Unfortunately, my body reacted poorly, plunging me into a coma. This alarming setback pushed the doctors to expedite the transplant process.
Finally, on May 30, 1995, I received my life-saving transplant, and it was a resounding success. Gratitude filled my heart as my life slowly returned to normalcy. The first thing I requested after the procedure was a pizza and a glass of water. The years of strict dietary restrictions had taken their toll, and that moment of indulgence felt like heaven on earth.
From Brazil to Ireland
With my health restored, I pursued my passion for advertising and marketing, graduating from UniFIAM FAAM in 2007. Those four years were tough, as I juggled work during the day and attended classes at night. The notorious traffic in São Paulo meant that I often spent hours commuting, arriving home well past midnight. Unfortunately, when I entered the job market, I discovered that most positions required fluency in English and Spanish. In Brazil, second language education is not readily available in public schools, leading to a joke that we learn the verb “to be” in primary school and review it in secondary school.
Realizing that finding my dream job in Brazil would be challenging, I decided to save money and venture abroad. After extensive research, I found that Ireland was the country that welcomed me with open arms. In July 2011, armed with three thousand euros that my aunt had kindly lent me, I embarked on a journey that would forever change my life. Ireland became my temporary home, a place where young dreamers like me converged. I met people from all over the world—France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Korea, China, Germany, Russia, and of course, Brazil. What was initially planned as a six-month stay turned into two and a half incredible years.
It was in Ireland that I met my husband, an Italian head chef. The timing seemed serendipitous, as I was already scheduled to return to Brazil when our paths crossed. It’s funny how life surprises us. As I prepared to bid farewell to the Emerald Isle, not expecting anything more, I met the person who would become my partner for life. I vividly remember the moment I asked him if he would join me in Brazil. Without hesitation, he replied with a resounding yes.
Bray Head Cross – Wicklow Ireland – 2011
Working on my dreams
Caraiva Bahia - April 2022
Fast forward to July 14, 2023, our ninth anniversary. We are now proud parents to a lovely boy named Ryan, an Irish name that reflects the beautiful mix of cultures in our family. Our life may be simple, but it is filled with boundless love and joy. My husband’s culinary talents and my newfound work in a field I enjoy have brought a sense of fulfillment and contentment to our lives.
And now, on August 30th, I am about to turn forty, feeling immensely grateful for everything that has transpired. Creating a blog has always been a dream of mine, but circumstances—whether it was a lack of time or financial constraints—prevented me from pursuing it. However, I have learned to adapt and find creative solutions that fit within my means.
With this blog, I aim to have fun, connect with new people, and share the adventures of our family. I hope that our story can inspire and offer support to others on their own journeys. Life is a tapestry woven with experiences, and it is through sharing our stories that we find strength, empathy, and understanding. So, welcome to our world, and let’s embark on this beautiful journey together.
Hope you enjoy your visit ❤️ This website is a homage to my Family and Life.
