Simply Loving

One afternoon I went to visit my mother to bring her a few things, as I usually do. It was hot and she was still having her nap, so I left everything in the utility room so as not to wake her. When I was about to leave, I noticed that the grass along the pavement (in our town this task is handled by the municipality) had been cut and a bit of a mess had been left. I immediately thought that when she woke up, she would see the pavement in that state and start sweeping it, even though she shouldn’t do that because it gives her back pain. So I went back to get a brush, because I know and started sweeping. This simple, small experience gave me the same joy I used to feel when I was a Gen 3, a teenager in the Focolare Movement, even though many years have passed.

(D. C. – Argentina)

While Shopping

Yesterday I was at the supermarket. While I was looking at some products on a shelf, I noticed a man staring at me insistently. Since I didn’t recognize him, I went on with my shopping, and so did he. A little later, though, as I was leaving, he was waiting for me and greeted me: “Don’t you remember me?” Since his face didn’t look familiar, I asked him to give me a clue. “I’m Stefan,” he replied, “years ago you helped me a lot with a document you prepared for me. Look, I still have it!” He opened his wallet, beaming and showed me an ID card that used to be issued to foreigners years ago. I looked at the date and saw it was from 1993, but still in perfect condition. Stefan said: “It’s been thirty-two years, but I’ve never forgotten how much you did for me and what that document meant to me at the time, so I’ve always kept it in your memory. Thank you!” Then he added: “You look just the same as back then.” He didn’t notice the wrinkles; he remembered the love. And love remains.

(A.P. – Italy)

Compiled by Maria Grazia Berretta
(From Il Vangelo del Giorno, Città Nuova, Year X – No. 1, September–October 2025)

Photo: © Pixabay