Fifty years ago, I met a 16 year old girl. She was an exchange student from San Paulo, Brazil. She had been placed with a host family for a couple of weeks. The local Catholic Church needed to find a couple that would give Adelia a ride to and from Mass.
My parents found Adelia a lonely girl with several younger children to care for after school. Mother brought her back to our home and kept her for most of that Sunday. They planned weekend trips to locations and attractions to show different parts of Michigan. They took her to Niagara Falls .
One of the wishes that Adelia hoped to experience was a date with an American boy. This is where I came in. I was attending college and dating a University ofMichigan student. He had a friend that had never had a date either. Both Adelia the boy were of small stature. We set up a date to have lunch and play pinball on Saturday. We had pizza and beer at the Brown Jug. The dates were experts at the games, winning many free games. Finally, the moment of the kiss happened. I missed it but from the grim on Adelia’s face, I would say the date was a success.
Over the years, Adelia and her mother and later her husband Todd came to the States for visits. My brother Brian and I entertained them.
In between visits there were cards, letters and small gifts exchanged. We kept up a long distance correspondence.
The last time I saw Adelia, She and her Friend John came to stay in Clearwater, Florida. Since my husband’s name is John, we started to refer to Adelia’s friend as Brazil John. We were staying with my Dad at his condo. So he was able to see Adelia again.
Brazil John wanted to visit the Salvador Dali exhibit had phones with different languages for visitors to use. They didn’t have one for Portuguese. One of the staff was found to give them a personal tour.
Brazil John found he loved pancakes, he had not heard of by before. Every restaurant he ordered them. I bought him a box of pancake mix to take home.
There were three other Brazilians on the same plane going back home. We had a van full to take out for one last pancake lunch before they boarded the plane.
These days, with the mail taking longer to deliver letters. My last Christmas card was sent in late November and arrived in San Paulo after New Year’s. We e mail each other. She reads my weekly blog and makes comments. I am sure she shares the blog with Brazil John also.
So on the 18th of September, Adelia will have her birthday. I have shared fifty years of this long distant friendship. Happy Birthday my lovely Brazilian sister.
Long distant sister
50 years , more or less.
Two worlds came together on Sunday’s
Mother answered the call to take a Brazilian girl to Mass.
lonely uma garota ,empty nesters
Seeing needs, they adopted each other.
Her wish to have a date with an American boy.
A friend of my friend fit the bill.
That relationship didn’t last.
but our sisterhood did.
Several decades later
Though physically apart, we are still bounded
in love,
As only sisters can be.
Happy birthday.
Adelia.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 9-15-25
Mom Dad Carol Adelia
traveling up and down the blind highway 