Pappou Turns 90!

 

It's not often someone in the family turns 90 but here we were!  After the difficult closure (of sorts) with Uncle 'Eko it was time to shift gears to celebration that is a beautiful life. Months earlier we had toyed with the idea of sharing Pappou's ninetieth birthday in Sweden with him and, at the time, it seemed like an impossible feat. Covid was running rampant. Sweden was closed to us. All of us were in that right state of worry regarding everyone's health, social distancing, etc. 

But perhaps Aleko's final present to us all was to bring us together to celebrate the man "who took the bus" as we like to say. It's a story of following a path that is sometimes made for you, of saying 'yes' to opportunities and to one's journey, as he once so well put, "otherwise to elsewhere". In this case the elsewhere was in central Sweden, with friends and family in a place known to him but new to us. 

It was a beautiful location on a beautiful day with beautiful people and a three course meal offered by friendly staff. In included a serenade of sorts by friends and also a spontaneous one from a certain four year old granddaughter who, as it turns out, had been working on learning the words (and actions) of the song Let it Go. It would typically be done, of course, in an Elsa outfit but one wasn't worn on this day. No matter because a room full of adults sat in awe as both older and younger performers shared their love through music. It was the type of present that will be held for a good long time. 

The wonderful event was followed by a walk, just across the way, to the chapel where candles were lit and placed on the candle holders. As Mocca mentioned this has typically been a place where candles are lit for giagia, but now were also being lit for uncle 'Eko. There were meories, all concealed within our minds, but obvious as to their nature. There were tears. And solemn quiet. There were hugs and there was love. Always love. 

Later on we returned to the house to do the little things that families do. To talk and chat about this and that. The moments that so often fill life with the glue that it takes to make it worth living. And living this man has done... with travels and journeys (both literal and figurative) and with a family that both recognizes the enormity of his heart and the fullness of his spirit. 

Happy 90th pappou! Love. Everywhere.