Conference turris::womannotes-v3

977.0. "A death in the family..." by ATHINA::SKARLATOS () Mon Aug 19 1991 08:41

        Friends.  My name is Kimon Skarlatos and I am writing to you
        from Athens, Greece.  I would like to relate an experience I
        recently had.  I know there is nothing new about this.  It
        just felt powerful to me because of the place, the time, and
        the people involved.

        A few days ago we buried my grandmother.  Her name was
        Chrysoula (the golden one) and she was only 71 years old.
        Loula, as she was known, was no ordinary woman.  A woman of
        very modest means she carried herself through life with a
        dignity normally reserved for queens.  She gave her love and
        patience to anyone who had the child in them to accept it. 
        She taught my wife spoken Greek through her endless stories
        and recipies.  She was educated beyond mere Ph.D.s, she was
        simply, Loula.  Loula the artist.  Loula the mother.  Loula
        the grandmother.  Loula the departed.

        After a large family gathering to celebrate her grandchildrens
        collective birthdays, where hours were spent eating and
        telling stories, she went home with her son and died quietly
        during the night.  She died where she was born, where the
        mountains cradle the sea, where the sky cradles the mountains.

        The love, grief, finality of the funeral could not put Loula's
        memory away.  The priests' chanting merely added to the
        family's tears and smiles and hugs, as here flower laden
        casket was committed to the earth.

        As we left from the traditional gathering that evening, my
        father commented on her life with such eloquence that I doubt
        I can fully capture the translation:

        "She had seen the blossoming of the almond trees only 70
        times.  She had felt the clear mountain snows melt only 70 times. 
        Why did she leave so soon?"

        Peace.

        Kimon.

    
    Such a beautiful epitaph, Kimon.
    
    Peace, harmony, and continued warm memories of Loula to you and
    your family.  May she always sparkle in your corners.
    
    Carla
    

Kimon,

Thank you for entering that.  May she spend her new life among almond
trees which are always flowering.

      Carol