It seemed to be just another simple school assignment for an eight-year-old girl.

The school book showed accounts to be made, simple math problems to be solved and other questions about different subjects.

But on the last page there was a real treasure that has touched teachers, educational psychologists and parents.

Here is the statement: Draw something that represents an important event in your life.

And there was the colored drawing of a woman with a baby in her arms, and beside her the figure of a man, both smiling.

Above the drawing the following was written with whimsical letters - those that take long to finish: When I got my parents.

How to hold our tears before such a simple declaration of love? When I got my parents.

She remembered with affection that she had come to that loving home a little over eight years ago through the blessed path of adoption.

It was one of the first times that the little apprentice heart thanked God for the opportunity of having a loving family on Earth.

Other children recalled travels, holiday gifts, and unforgettable tours. But she remembered to thank for her parents.

*   *   *

Thinking of all of us now, do we remember to keep in our souls all this gratitude for those who have welcomed us with so much affection and courage?

Do you remember when you got your parents? Yes, they are great gifts we received when we were born.

Often, a child's heart reminds us of things that the old heart seems to have forgotten.

We all got our parents. Moreover, they are not any parents chosen randomly. They are the parents that we needed at the moment we needed.

Maybe we still do not understand this very well, but over the years, after much analysis, too many memories, we get mature and eventually realize it all makes sense.

Sometimes we just realize it when it is too late and then we are corroded by devastating remorse.

Why wait to thank? Why wait for that special occasion to acknowledge and express gratitude?

Why we are embarrassed to say: You are important to me or I love you so much!? Why be ashamed of loving and thanking?

Gratitude is not only in the act of thanking. The famous thank you is just the tip of the iceberg of gratitude.

Gratitude is expressed every day when we wake up and thank God for such love; when we have a respectful, friendly, and understanding coexistence, and reach the greatest gestures of selflessness for the sake of those to whom we owe our life.

Let´s thank them while there is time. Let´s thank them today.

Gratitude is good for everyone. It is good for those who carry it in their heart. It is good for those who receive it as unexpected fragrant flowers that fall on their hands and make life happier.

*   *   *

When I got my parents, I also got the certainty of being loved...

When I got my parents, I was flooded with willpower to get it right and to love too.

When I got my parents, I decided to give another chance to love, and then another one, then another one...

When I got my parents I felt, really, protected...

Spiritist Moment Team.

June 13.2011.