Sofia Ribeiro was on the RTP1 program ‘A Nossa Tarde’, talking to Tânia Ribas de Oliveira about the ups and downs of her personal and professional life.
As, around two years ago, he decided to take on parental responsibility for his nieces Bianca and Beatriz, currently aged 11 and 14, and welcome them into his home, this was one of the topics discussed during the interview.
“A necessity, it was out of necessity. There it is, life knows what it does, it knows what it takes and it knows what it brings. If you asked me if it was something I had thought of, no, because for me the ideal of children is to be with their parents. But if that is not the best option for them, it is not healthier, it is not the best for their future and for their growth, I cannot stand by and watch. I could stay, I could, it was not my obligation, but I couldn’t, my heart wouldn’t let me left”began by counting.
After making a comparison between her life story and that of her nieces, Sofia Ribeiro explained that she “couldn’t let this cycle repeat itself”, realizing that it was nevertheless a huge change in her life.
“I found out about their process through the CPCJ, because there were things that were hidden from me, that didn’t reach me, even though I was very present in their lives. And then it was a process, until things unfolded (…). They spent two years in an institution until the process was able to move forward”he further explained, highlighting that he did “the right thing”.
Following this, Sofia Ribeiro decided to tell an episode that marked her and that was when she had the “click” that she would have to have them close to her, one of the times she picked them up from that institution.
“One of the times, the youngest one says: ‘Auntie, at school, they asked us to do an exercise about who we liked living with’. And I swear I didn’t expect them to say that, I didn’t expect it. And I say: ‘So, who did you like?’ And she says, ‘With you.’ And that…”he said, bursting into tears.
Excited, Sofia Ribeiro also recalled the day the entire process was resolved and the little ones were finally able to go live with their aunt.
“I was shaking all over, I was driving and I was shaking all over. The older one was the same. And then I left them and that for me was indisputable, it wasn’t questionable. Obviously, I’m going to do what I can to bring them closer to me (…). On the day, I prepared the whole room to receive them and then I went to pick them up and they couldn’t believe it. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, and I think theirs too. Their little faces are priceless. Their joy in realizing that things were going to change”realized.
