Regina, Alcabideche Portugal
My name is Regina, I live in Portugal in a small village called Alcabideche. I am Brazilian and moved to Portugal with my husband 27 years ago. I did the opposite of my parents who moved to Brazil as children with their parents after the Second World War. My children were born in Portugal and I’m grateful every day for the decision I made 27 years ago.
I was asked to write down how my life was affected by this pandemic. To be honest, while for many this has been so difficult, for me it has been a blessing. I am a computer technician and working from home does not affect my work, actually it saved time commuting to work and the silence at home helped me to focus on my work, which improved my productivity.
On March 15th, I started working from home and at the same time my husband and son too. My daughter started online classes at the university, her Erasmus program in Milan was interrupted and she returned home taking classes online.
We started to have all meals together and not just the usual dinner. We save a lot on food since the food is made at home for everyone. I had the opportunity to introduce vegetarian food more at home.
One of the best things that happened to me was being able to access Sanskrit classes in the morning, something impossible when I was working in person because the classes are during the commute period. I found out how much I like these lessons and the chanting.
In the midst of all this, my father was diagnosed with cancer and my brother with schizophrenia, both living in Brazil. My family’s life in Brazil has not been easy, but the practice of yoga has brought me the serenity to deal with these problems. My father endured chemotherapy and radiotherapy and my brother became the anchor that accompanies him since I live in Portugal and my two sisters in the USA. I went to Brazil in September, and again I am grateful to have been with my father on his birthday. He continues to struggle with the disease, and I believe he will overcome it. In September there were not so many cases of covid, and it was safe to make the trip to Brazil.
I feel that everything in my life has happened at the right time, even the least good things because they happen when I am most able to face them. I am immensely grateful for my husband and children who make my day never lonely and at no time I feel helpless.
Gratitude every day and prayers for my family in Brazil who have suffered so much from this disease, especially now with a cousin hospitalized for over a month. I am very grateful for all the teachings that I have in the Jivana program that has helped me to appreciate every moment of my life.
Regina
