Sunday 3 June 2018

Good for the soul






I did it! I made it to Greece! Despite a stressful journey out, where the travel gods were clearly testing my resolve (I ended up being on standby for the flight and had to plead for a ticket, and then it wasn't certain that my case had travelled with me!), I spent a week on my own in our special place on  the Greek island of Kos. During the week, I was able to remember so many wonderful, happy times spent there with Mr JK, and I felt his closeness the whole time I was there. Of course there were a few wobbles, especially when people were being super-kind to me because of what had happened. I spent the days on the beach with my knitting and kindle and was incredibly lazy. I ate at  the same two tavernas each day - one at lunch time where I could sit at a table overlooking the beach and indulge in some delicious salads, and in the evening, at our favourite taverna where I was looked after so well by Nikos. He was very concerned for my welfare and gave me extra wine and dessert each day. The Greeks are so warm and friendly, that I felt at home eating there and being on my own wasn't nearly such a big deal for me as I'd imagined it would be. There were things I found hard - going for walks to feed the cats (although I still did feed the harbour cats), sitting on the balcony of the apartment and enjoying a drink before going out for  the evening and then going to a bar on my own after dinner for a drink (I didn't manage to do that one the whole week.) But I am very, very pleased that I made the decision to go back to Kos as it helped me to focus on both the past and the future and I do feel strangely at peace at the moment. Someone commented on one of my Instagram posts that grief is a lifelong companion and you have to make your peace with it. This week has definitely helped me on that journey. Enjoy some photos of my week and I'll be back soon to share some finished socks with you. xxx











6 comments:

VeggieMummy said...

Well done, Helen. I'm so proud of you. Your holiday sounds absolutely wonderful and the photo of the Greek salad had me salivating! Here's to many more holidays on your favourite island. xx

busybusybeejay said...

Well done.I am sure you could feel Mr JK there .He would want you to move forward but never forget.My brother's wife died aged 32 forty years ago leaving three young children .He remarried but has never forgotten his first wife.It has taken him a long time to talk about her but he does now and it is with tenderness and love which his second wife understands.His first wife was German.

Laura said...

Hi Helen!!
I don't know you in person, but I feel really proud of you!
You have achieved so many things these year, ...and still you continue to surprise me!!
Well done!!
Don't stop!!
Laura (laubao.wordpress.com)

Helen said...

Beautiful pictures of clearly a special place - I've just stumbled onto your blog via Anne and Michelle at Crochet between worlds. Hope you have a relaxing week and are doing ok

Cindy said...

I am so glad you went on this special trip! Your pictures are lovely. I was thinking of you while you were there and hoping that you were doing well! You are very brave and strong and are a role model for others.

Lynne said...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - you are amazing!! I'm really proud of you, and so glad to read of the kindness of the lovely Greek people. Also, your photos are lovely.