Juanito Jonsson was born in Sweden in 1973, but spent his earliest years in Bolivia, where his missionary parents had moved for work. During that time, his parents hired a young nanny named Ana, who quickly became a central figure in his life.
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When the family eventually returned to Sweden, Juanito had to say goodbye to Ana. Later, he moved to Spain, where he built a life of his own as a pastor in Málaga, raising three sons. Still, the memory of Ana never left him.
In 2017, Jonsson made the decision to try to find her. With the help of his mother’s contacts, he discovered that Ana was still alive at the age of 79. She was living near the Argentinian border, selling candles to support herself.
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Determined to see her again, Jonsson travelled across the world with one of his sons. When Ana saw him for the first time in more than four decades, she immediately recognized him.
“Are you Juanito, the one who used to hug me and say, ‘Ana, my Ana?’” she asked. The two embraced, both overcome with emotion.
Reflecting on the reunion, Jonsson said it taught him an important lesson about gratitude and the value of honoring loved ones while they are still alive.
Reflecting on the reunion, Jonsson said it taught him an important lesson about gratitude and the value of honoring loved ones while they are still alive.
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“Sometimes we say things to people when it’s too late,” he said. “I had an urge in my soul to reconnect and show my appreciation. I’m still trying to process everything that happened, but I know the message is to honor people while they’re here.”
Watch their reunion: Instagram video
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