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When we are children, we dream of being astronauts or soccer players.
In the adolescence faze, we dream of a career in music or fashion.
As adults, we dream of a home or a professional career path.
And as a senior citizen? Do what we’ve never done before or go back to happier times?
Indeed, dreams accompany us in every moment of our lives. Dreaming is part of the essence of being human. It’s physically and psychologically healthy, it inspires us and, when shared, it can become a reality.
And it is through dreaming that we may tell you part of Mr. António Barroqueiro´s story, in our house, on the 17th of May – a date on which the world celebrates all things sweet on International Pastry Day.
It all happened 2 months ago, on a fun trip in the “Carrinha dos Sorrisos” or Smile Van with the residents of the “Centro Social e Paroquial de Calvão”, in which António, a former professional with more than 40 years dedicated to the pastry sector, confided in them one of his wishes: to go back to being a pastry chef for a day.
With the help of Professor Fernando Batista, founder of the “Mais Feliz Associação” or Happier Association, the idea took form and the realization of a dream began to be secretly prepared at Ferneto, between the team of the Association, the Social Center and also Mr. António´s family.
Tuesday, May 17, would normally be a very quiet day for Mr. António in the Centre, but soon it became evident that it would take on other contours…
The “Carrinha dos Sorrisos” appeared by surprise to take him to Ferneto.
Waiting for him was the Ferneto Bakery technician Manuel Furão, his former apprentice, and his son Jorge Gabriel, also a pastry technician.
The mise en place was already done for the recipes that Mr. António had created, decades ago, Mr. António´s “pão-de-ló and semifrio”.
His wife, Isilda, was also present, as was the youngest of their 5 children, Tiago.
The meetings at the Bakish Center were truly moving. The moments, of pure happiness, touched everyone who passed through here. Good memories were recalled from moments at the pastry shop, to how this surprise was created and this dream that tasted so sweet as it became a reality.
It is these kinds of small gestures that the world needs, real actions dedicated to others. Finding joy in the joy of others is the real secret of happiness.
Congratulations, Mais Feliz Associação.
