I was born 63 years ago today, the second child of Flávia Faria Machado de Oliveira Soares and Carlos de Oliveira Soares, both 37 years old. My older brother, Carlos, was 3 years old. I was given the same name as my mother since my older brother had already been given the same name as our father. I guess so that my mother would not feel bad but I think she would rather I had another name.
As was the custom of the time, I was born at home at nº 41 Rua do Saco, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (Açores) at 6pm with the assistance of a midwife. Besides assisting with the birth, the midwife also came around to check on baby and mother, and help the new mother care for the baby. There are several pictures of me and the midwife including one where she is giving me my first bath. According to a note written by my mother on the back of one of the pictures, the midwife´s name was Isabel and she lived around the corner from us on Rua de São Miguel.
I can't say what kind of baby I was because I don't recall my mother ever talking about me as baby... did I sleep well? did I cry? I have no idea but I must have been a good baby!
It has been a long journey since that day many years ago with many twists and turns along the way. It is a journey still in progress...
My father loved taking photographs and left us a collection of photos which record events in our lives. Here are some photos from my first days.
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With my mother
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Midwife Isabel giving me my first bath as my brother watches
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Me, midwife and my brother
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