I am typing this in my freshly painted office. Every inch of it has been scrubbed, painted, rearranged and made as freshly new as I can make it after seven years of misc. use and catch all service.

Actually, the work has been to numb my senses, occupy my thoughts and send me to bed early with only thoughts of Asprin and clean sheets. That didn’t quite work out successfully. Even my aching knees and sore hands were, ARE, not enough to distract my brain, my thoughts from my images of oceans, wall to wall people, ancient ruins, the smell of roasting meat and the sound of Bouzouki music……Yep, you got it, Greece! To be exact, Crete, Greece.

This time last September, I was there. To be exact again, mostly, I was in my little apartment in Chania, Crete. Third floor apartment with a direct view of the ocean and a little balcony attached where the pigeons and I could share my Greek coffee and pastry every morning. I could begin my days slowly, quietly while watching Chania come awake and begin another day. Rest and renew my Spirit.

Greek families are very busy. They rush around, hurrying in nearly every moment of the day. Driving fast and furious with horns blaring at every intersection. Yiayias walking the grandchildren to the school shuttle bus with school bags and lunch boxes in hand. Stoops getting a morning’s sweep and potted fig and lemon trees getting watered for the day. Morning hellos of Kalimera up and down the street! It is a joy to watch, a real true joy to behold. With no effort at all, a smile fills my face and that joy sears right into my heart.

I spent two months in Greece last fall, Some of it on the mainland. A lot of Athens is just another big city, full of people and traffic and noise. You must see beyond that. The ancient ruins, the centuries of history, occupation and survival with reminders of those periods everywhere you look. The Plaka, the shopping, the museums, the music, and OMG, the food! The Gelato!! The pastries and coffee and food stalls……..would you like me to go on and on and on? I certainly can.

There are few populations on Earth that do not owe some portion of their existence to Greece. There are many beautiful places to visit and learn about on this lovely planet. I haven’t visited enough of them. Still, I never cease to be amazed and in awe of what humans and nature can create when they work together for the beauty and glory of this place we call our home in the Universe.

I hope you travel…near or far, to old familiar places or new, perhaps faraway places. It will change who you think you are and how you feel about life.

P.S. If you are only able to do so with a book, a movie, or through someone else’s eyes…just DO IT !

Peace