Avozinho

A small article I wrote for a booklet published for my maternal grandfather's 100th Birth Day. It was written in a hurry and with inputs from my dear true cousin San!

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The 1st of April, is celebrated as April Fool's day all over the world. But in our family it was always the birth day of our grandfather, our Avozinho. The school summer vacations would start by the end of March, and so all of us cousins, uncles, aunts would congregate in Quepem to celebrate Avozinho's birthday.
Avozinho always loved to have his grandchildren around him, and although nobody dared to play any pranks on him, he enjoyed watching us play pranks on each other. His birthday was one big celebration where the whole family got together and had a good time.

Avozinho always loved visiting his children/grandchildren for their birthdays. Except for the last, I don't think he ever missed any of mama's birthdays, and would always stay the night at our place. He would come all the way from Quepem to Vasco by bus, and would reach by afternoon, and never once did he come empty0handed. He always brought a jackfruit or something from his huge gardens and other properties. After a quick nap he would be as fresh as ever, I always admired that in him. He was very interested in knowing that we were doing well, and encouraged us to do even better.

Whenever Alvaro and I visited Quepem, we were always welcomed with open arms by Avo and Avozinho. Avozinho was always concerned about how our studies were going on, and how we fared in our exams. A good education had top priority for him, as evidenced by all his well educated children. He was very strict about table etiquette and manners, and liked us all to well versed in using our forks and spoons!
Avozinho was also very particular about respecting and obeying once's parents. We were always encouraged to seek our parent's and other elders' blessings every night before bed by Avozinho. 

In those hot lazy afternoons, a welcome noise was the ringing of the ice-cream cart's bells. We were all made to stand in line and given money by Avozinho to buy the ice-cream of our choice. And ice-cream was the best treat you could give us kids!

He is the only grandfather I have known, and although I didn't get to spend much time with him, I will always treasure those few memories I have of my Avozinho.