Unfortunately, our June didn’t started off so well. Paris lost his dad so suddenly and that took a toll on the whole family. It’s been awkward! There are no words to describe the feeling….it’s hard losing a parent. I feel that I lost a parent too! I’m blessed to have Paris’ parents in my life. They have been very supportive from the moment I moved to Greece. I am very blessed to have these good people in my life and to love them as I love my parents. Emotions at this point are just indescribable.
Paris describe it in a way that really puts it a bit into perspective—-“You’ll never be ready to be a parent and you’ll never be ready to loose a parent.”
There is a sense of numbness….questions of so many ‘what ifs’, ‘whys’ and ‘hows”….everyone is processing it all in there own way. We help one another and we give each other the space we need and obviously the time. It’s different for everyone.
Even though we have gone back to our daily routines (or we try)….there are always reminders of him everywhere. At times it makes us sad and in other moments we might laugh…I guess that’s what we keep….our memories and moments in our hearts and you just keep going.
I was really worried on how Georgie would handle the whole situation. I was asking myself so many questions….how do we say it to him?….what do we say?….How do you explain something so sudden to a child?….I think he saw the sadness in my eyes and he knew. I told him that grandpa’s heart was working a little bit slower that day and then just stopped….my boy had tears running down his face, hugged me and said that he will keep all the beautiful memories of his grandfather in his heart and he’ll always remember him the way he was.
Just that! I was moved….and then I cried some more! All my stress and tension was gone.
“Enjoy life!” ” Go out!” ” Celebrate!”….these are things he’d always used to say! “Life is beautiful….time goes by fast….enjoy every single moment with your family!”
“Take pictures!” “Get it on video!”
I’ve had this photo on my phone for months! We were in the village one Sunday afternoon looking through some old photos and came across this one…. I really liked it! Paris said it must be the first selfie….”In 1960s! The man was ahead of his time!”
I think he might be right!
Our home in the village doesn’t feel the same. It feels soulless. It’s lost it’s shine. It’s the grieving process.
We have found new roles in the family. Things that my father-in-law did that now must be done from us.
Once a week we go and water his garden where we find peppers, vlita (I think in English they are called amaranth green), from apricot and plum trees to old olive trees. To berry trees all lined up one next to the other.
Week after week, I see why he had so much love for that place. His garden, his trees, the shade from grapes vines, the chickens out and about, the mountain scenery and the quietness. All the appreciation for the small things in life!
We had quite a few things in common. 🙂
It has always been dream of mine to live one day in the village. Living in the real “slow living” way!
I’ve said it to Paris and to his family many times! Initially, they’d look at me like I was crazy! ha ha ha!
I’d get the look of “what the heck is this girl saying? Really??!! In the village?”
Yup, I want the old stone home, the olive trees, the chickens and anything in between!
I want to believe or shall I say, I believe that having said this to my father-in-law made him happy knowing that what he loved the most in this world will still matter to others when he’s gone.
