"getting old is not a burden"
A project about my great-grandfather
Joaquim Marques (our Cenoura) is the oldest member of the family.
Someone who had a very different life from ours and who, in his own way, shows us the true good side of life.
From a busy life where he worked many hours a day, raising his 4 children together with his late wife, he moved on, to a routine of quiet afternoons spent in the garden or at home watching “Preço Certo”.
A lifestyle that Carrot doesn't complain about and explains why: “Oh dear! Being old is not boring, when I was young I lived a lot, now it's time to rest”.
Despite the changes, there are always others things that remain, such as praying every morning and night, kissing good night to the photograph of the deceased wife and kissing good morning to great-grandchildren, even though they are not always around.
I have always appreciated his sense of humor and positivism.
To be able to do this project I thought it made perfect sense to get to know Bisa better and remember his life.
The first pohtoshoot, took place in his room and between conversations, he calmly reinforced that being old is not a burden for him.
I laughed when I asked him what the best part about being old was and he replied
"The best part will be when you reach 100".
My wish was for us to spend more time with them, as nothing in this life is guaranteed, even though we try to convince ourselves otherwise.
Even me, who consider myself very close to the older members of my family and who hang out with them often, realized that it was only after this project that I got to know great-grandfather Joaquim better and I appreciate him even more.
It is really important to remember that they are lived people, with unique stories, full of adventures, achievements and also losses, which will enrich us.
They are carriers of experiences in different times and with which we can learn.May this adventure be an inspiration to all of us!
Allow yourselves to sit with our elders and listen to the stories of the lives they had, so much can be learned and shared.
Elderly makes us more wrinkles in the face, than in the spirit.
Proof of this is great-grandfather Joaquim.
Thanks to him I will always remember that a smile on my face is the best way to live life.
Thank you Carrot, I'm grateful to have you.
