Way back in May, Walter came to Malaysia to visit the family and to meet his new granddaughter. As soon as he got off the plane Natalia and Laurence noticed "something" about him. He seemed more filled with energy, happier, more optimistic. He seemed like his mind was wandering more frequently, thinking of other things. He was singing, dancing. He was laughing and happy. Of course that's not to say that he isn't that way normally, but there was a distinct difference in the way he carried himself; almost a unique combination of teenage-optimism-meets-retiree-wisdom kind of thing.
After some prodding it turned out that, in fact, he had rekindled a 'friendship' with an old flame, Monica. We had known of Monica from stories of a previous life, before our family had become just that, but we soon found out that we were about to get to know her a little better...
After a half-century hiatus, the lightning re-introduction took only weeks. First through a letter from Monica. Then through emails (lots of emails!). Then a Skype meeting, followed by others. Soon enough Monica was visiting Athens, and then Walter Sweden. It was a very short (and surprisingly speedy) while before propositions were made and plans set for a wedding.
And so, on January 8th - in the presence of Aleko, Diana P., Stefan and Vicky, Alexi and Monica's son Jovo, brother and his partner - Walter and Monica (in our circles knows as "Moca" as Irini has christened her) were married under a fittingly beautiful clear blue sky, on a rooftop in Plaka, looking up to the Parthenon and the clouds beyond. It was a day fittingly filled with clarity, with sunlight and with love.
As our new chapters of additional family members of the baby sort are added it is good to know that, even after retirement and the painful loss of a spouse, the story does not quite end. There is love to be found in the past, in the present, in the future. Love, it would seem, knows no boundaries.
After some prodding it turned out that, in fact, he had rekindled a 'friendship' with an old flame, Monica. We had known of Monica from stories of a previous life, before our family had become just that, but we soon found out that we were about to get to know her a little better...
After a half-century hiatus, the lightning re-introduction took only weeks. First through a letter from Monica. Then through emails (lots of emails!). Then a Skype meeting, followed by others. Soon enough Monica was visiting Athens, and then Walter Sweden. It was a very short (and surprisingly speedy) while before propositions were made and plans set for a wedding.
And so, on January 8th - in the presence of Aleko, Diana P., Stefan and Vicky, Alexi and Monica's son Jovo, brother and his partner - Walter and Monica (in our circles knows as "Moca" as Irini has christened her) were married under a fittingly beautiful clear blue sky, on a rooftop in Plaka, looking up to the Parthenon and the clouds beyond. It was a day fittingly filled with clarity, with sunlight and with love.
As our new chapters of additional family members of the baby sort are added it is good to know that, even after retirement and the painful loss of a spouse, the story does not quite end. There is love to be found in the past, in the present, in the future. Love, it would seem, knows no boundaries.
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