Bernd and Gratitude

Bernd is my massage guy.  Yes, I have a massage guy in Molyvos.  Before you judge me, my 62 year old body has been sitting on a cushion, on the floor, for 10 hours a day.  For three weeks.  I earned this massage. 

He picked me up and we drove to his home.  On the edge of the sea.  A beautiful and very old stone cottage.  The massage table was on his back porch. Open air.  Simple curtains defining the space.  With the wind rustling through the leaves of the 150 year old Sycamore tree that towered overhead.  The massage oil was olive and it came from the trees in his yard.  I want to spend every lazy Sunday afternoon here.  It was truly unforgettable.  And the massage was good too. 

He had another client after me and could not drive me home. My hosts arranged for a taxi to pick me up and, as I waited by the side of the road, 5 cats magically appeared out of nowhere.  Twining themselves through my legs, purring and looking for food.  I felt like the Pied Piper.  I will miss the cats too. The sea lapped gently on the shore and Turkey lay in the distance.  No traffic.  Complete peace.  I will miss this. 

Now, the sounds of morning.  The roosters crowing, the dogs barking and you can hear the sheep bells tinkling in the distance.  No traffic sounds.  There are a few clouds today, they have been absent during most of my visit, and the sun is painting them red and orange against a gray violet sky.  Yes, I will miss this. 

I cannot believe that I have been lucky enough to have this experience.  That I was able to afford it and to make time.  I really want to stress the point of "making time".  Taking time for ourselves seems to be a skill we are losing.  Why?  We place SO much value on being busy.  On appearing to the outside world that we have not one spare minute in our day for anyone or anything.  Equating busy with being successful, being needed.  "I couldn't possibly take a month away", my ego initially said.  I'm glad I didn't listen. 

Thank you to all of you who came with me on this journey.  I have enjoyed your love and your comments and just knowing you were there.  I hope to keep writing.  I am anxious to get home and see how what I have learned will integrate into my life. I've had some ideas while here that I am not ready to share, but you all will be the first to know. Have a fantastic week and I hope to send more to you and hear more from you in the weeks to come.  Much love to everyone. ❤️