A soothing sunset from one of my favorite places in Greece for today's Spiritual Sunday. Martha's place! That's not the official name, but instead the way we referred to the house right on the water in Theotokos on Euboea that Martha, my mother-in-law's sister, and her husband Kostas built with love and sweat! I enjoy taking photos of places, sunsets, details, but I am also known in the family as the organizer of posed group photos. These images are priceless, especially when they include family members who are no longer with us.
When I say group photo, I mean everyone! This one above, when we were in Greece for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, includes me, since my daughter Kiki was the photographer. Two of my husband's uncles passed away in the past year and a half, and both are in this photo. When we moved to Greece in 1986, all of my husband's relatives enveloped me with love, and I enjoy looking through old photos and remembering the good times we had.
I'm not sure who was the photographer of this photo from 2008, again at Martha's Place in Theotokos! But, I'm sure it was my daughter who organized it! As a teacher, I was fortunate enough to spend many summers with my kids in Greece after we moved back to the U.S. in 1990. In 2008, my husband was able to take a 2-week vacation, and I told him it was his turn to go with the kids! This way there was room for everyone in the car; my nephew was also visiting that summer. (You might ask, what did I do in Florida while they were away--paint, reorganize, plant new shrubs, all the household tasks that are much easier to do when you are the only one there!)
They're all standing in the garden that uncle Kostas lovingly planted and tended each summer. One of the funniest stories I remember is when, while playing cards one night, I heard a soft screeching noise coming from the darkness in the garden. My mother-in-law explained that it was the cucumbers growing. I laughed. She insisted. I found a flashlight and headed down the steps to get closer. OMG--it was true! We had always joked about uncle Kostas's mutant cucumbers, since they always grew so large. Now, I can also say, I 'heard' them grow!
They're all standing in the garden that uncle Kostas lovingly planted and tended each summer. One of the funniest stories I remember is when, while playing cards one night, I heard a soft screeching noise coming from the darkness in the garden. My mother-in-law explained that it was the cucumbers growing. I laughed. She insisted. I found a flashlight and headed down the steps to get closer. OMG--it was true! We had always joked about uncle Kostas's mutant cucumbers, since they always grew so large. Now, I can also say, I 'heard' them grow!
Family dinner in Faliro, 2012. My mother-in-law throws wonderful welcome and farewell dinner parties when we vacation in Greece. Of course, I always get a group shot! Too bad, I didn't capture the abundance of food she and her sisters lovingly prepare!
We also enjoy going out to our favorite restaurants for dinner, including George's Steak House in Glyfada. I can't remember a summer when we didn't meet any number of relatives here to enjoy the mouthwatering beftekia (kind of like larger, oval shaped meatballs!) that bring us back time after time! Some of my husband's fondest memories of his uncle Aristeides are during summers spent in Greece as a teenager. I have heard countless times, tales about trips to the beach with his cousin and uncle. For me, Uncle Aristeides's deep voice was fun to listen to, as I struggled with learning Greek. Both he and uncle Kostas were always so patient with me as I paused to find the right word sometimes. Uncles Kostas and Aristeides, you are remembered with great love and admiration. You were strong, caring, funny men, who I enjoyed spending time with (and sharing wine!) I miss you both. |
So, on this Spiritual Sunday, grab a photo album, scrapbook, or box of old photos, and find some pics that elicit strong positive memories of events, experiences, or vacations, with relatives or friends who are no longer with us.
What photo did you find that made you smile?
Let me know in a comment below!
What photo did you find that made you smile?
Let me know in a comment below!