José Alencar: the warrior rests

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Source: www.maganews.com

Life Lesson

José Alencar: the warrior [1] rests [2]

The former Vice President left behind a precious example of life for millions of Brazilians. For 14 years he faced cancer with courage, determination and faith

  

    A flat tire [3], a traffic jam [4], family problems, arguments [5] at work, toothache [6] ...These and other common problems in our day-to-day lives are enough to put many people in a bad mood andwipe [7] the smile off their faces. Like millions of Brazilians, José Alencar also faced these problems. But his daily routine also included something far more serious: a fight against a terrible disease. Alencar, however, seemed immune to stress and bad moods. Over the past eight years Brazil has become used to seeing an almost always good-natured [8] and relaxed Alencar. It was with optimism, serenity, courage and great faith that he faced a 14-year-long battle against cancer. During this period he had seventeen operations. This hard-fought battle [9] ended on March 29.Alencar left behind his wife Mariza Campos Gomes da Silva and three children: Maria da Graça, Patrícia and Josué. He also left behind a beautiful and striking [10] image in the minds of millions of Brazilians.

From poor childhood to Vice President of Brazil

   José Alencar was born in Muriaé in Minas Gerais state, on October 17, 1931.He lived animpoverished [11] childhood alongside 14 brothers and sisters. Alencar began working aged just seven years old and at 14 he left his parents house to work as a clerk [12] in a fabric store. At 18 a great chance came his way. His older brother lent [13] him money, so he opened his own store. And so began a successful business career. In 1967 he and a partner founded Coteminas, which would become one of the largest textile companies in Brazil. In 1993 he entered politics and in 1998 won a seat in the Senate. In 2002 he took the most important step in his political career when he was chosen to be Lula's running mate [14] in his presidential campaign.

Matéria publicada na edição de número 60 da revista Maganews.

Foto – Agência Brasil

Vocabulary

1 warrior – guerreiro

2 rest – descanso

3 flat tire – pneu furado

4 traffic jam – engarrafamento

5 arguments – discussões

6 toothache – dor de dente

7 to wipe  – “varrer” / “apagar”

8 good-natured – bem-humorado

9 hard-fought battle – dura batalha

10 striking image – imagem marcante

11 impoverished childhood – infância pobre

12 clerk – balconista / vendedor

13 to lend – emprestar

14 running mate –  pessoa que faz parte de uma campanha política