During my second visit with Ascendinha, her daughter came by to help with clothes washing and food. She stayed briefly then left us alone for awhile.
Even though Ascendinha had lived a life that would have crushed many, she seemed to glow from inside. Was I romanticizing her abject poverty to make it easier for myself or was she actually equanamous about her station in life? As I was leaving with this thought in mind she gripped my elbow (much more strongly than i thought possible!) and said, " May you make it as far as I have."
