Written By Devin Meireles
Published on Senso Magazine (December 2020)
While Vovo worked in British Columbia, he lived saudade on his own. Avo and the children were in the Azores while he saved enough money to bring them over. He missed them dearly, especially during his first Christmas abroad. He sent letters back home with some socks and postcards for gifts. That was all he could afford. He missed being on the island and there wasn’t a passing day when he didn’t think of it.
Instead of the traditional family dinner, he and his railroad crew got beers to drink while they played cards and told jokes. They too were immigrants and missed their homes. In a drunken daze they sang Christmas carols and comforted each other, living saudade together.
The next day Vovo reflected on what he had waiting for him, a loving wife and three young children. The value of their unconditional love was priceless but the travel expenses were very real. Over the course of that year he stayed focused and sacrificed a lot to save.
It paid off for him when he finally got their plane tickets. He stepped away from the rigorous work and headed for Toronto, where many Portuguese and Brazilian immigrants were flocking to. When the family arrived, they reunited in a profound embrace. He brought them to their new home in Kensington Market, where a new chapter began.
Christmas was different that year, it was their first White Christmas. Snow filled the streets of the city while at home their tree was decorated with lights and plenty of presents. It was a great accomplishment for Vovo and the holiday represented a new found prosperity. Wishing each other a Feliz Natal, they spent quality time together and thrived in their new country, Canada. It was an unforgettable Christmas.
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