«And do I deserve all this?», asks Maria da Conceição Brito, with a playful smile on her face, from the height of her 105 years, made that same day. «Of course you deserve it! This, and much more», responded, in chorus, those who insisted on spending her birthday with her and offering her gifts for the respectable and unusual age she reached.
December 22, 2017 was a special day, in São Brás de Alportel. After all, it's not every day that a fellow countryman turns 105, even more with the good (and sharp) spirit that Conceição Brito shows to have. And the best way to celebrate is with a party, which is exactly what organized the Home for the Elderly of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of São Brás de Alportel, the birthday girl's home for six years - yes, she lived in her own house until she was 99 -, with the support of the São Brasense Chamber, whose executive joined the celebration.
Conceição Brito made a grand entrance - "like a bride", anticipated Marlene Guerreiro, councilor of the City Council of São Brás -, was applauded by the many present, including colleagues and staff from the Home, family members, city council executive and other guests. he sang congratulations and blew three candles, those white with a number, one more than the vast majority of adults are entitled to.
For someone who has reached such a respectable age, the first thing to ask is, of course, what is the secret to reaching 105 years. “I don't have any secrets. To feed me, anything will do. But taking a walk and that's not much. But I still do some walks, not being very big. It has to be grabbed by the “bicycle”», says Mrs. Conceição, laughing heartily, pointing to the walker she uses to move around.
Those who live with her every day guarantee that she does not suffer from any chronic illness and the only medications she takes are for allergies, which sometimes irritate her skin.
Born in São Romão, where she has always lived, the more than XNUMX-year-old São Brasense lived a life linked to the land. «I worked at home, went to work in the fields, harvested, picked carob, beans and olives. I did all the field work. I liked this life a lot, because it was my parents' life. I wasn't going to earn money, I would like to go with them, to help», he said.
Today, Maria da Conceição can no longer go to the countryside, as she always liked, but she found other ways to pass the time. “During the week, here at home, we pray the rosary, we talk a lot. We are all friends of each other», he guaranteed.
Moreover, it was those with whom he lived daily in the Home for the Elderly who made up the majority of the party's quorum. But there were also several special guests, including his granddaughter and great-grandson, as well as the mayor of São Brás, accompanied by his executive.
Vítor Guerreiro brought with him a souvenir, in this case a more institutional one: a commemorative plaque of "such a singular occasion", the 105th birthday of a citizen.
The birthday girl is older than the municipality itself, as the São Brasense aedile made a point of remembering. «When Mrs. Conceição was born, São Brás de Alportel was still a parish in Faro. She doesn't remember, as she was very small, but our council was founded 103 years ago», stressed the mayor.
In addition to this gift, Maria da Conceição received scarves, a warm coat and lots of flowers. He also received a lot of affection, which he thanked. «I am very happy. I feel good to see so many people here. It's 105 years!».
And if Mrs. Conceição can claim, with pride, the status of the eldest São Brasense, she is not the only one in the nursing home of Santa Casa da Misericória with more than 100 years. In this institution, there is a user who is 104 years old. In other words, in 2018 São Brás may have the opportunity to once again celebrate the 105th anniversary of a fellow countrywoman.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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