Last week was one of ups and downs with me. I had an amazing birthday full of wonderful moments that truly will carry me throughout this year. I woke up the morning after to a text from my cousin in Greece that our aunt, Theia Maria, had passed away. She was the oldest of my father’s sisters. She never married and was the one who took care of my grandparents before they passed and my uncle George before he passed.
She was the one who came to America when I was born and again when my brother was born. I vividly remember her coming to my elementary school to tell me (in Greek of course) that my mom had has the baby and we had to get to the hospital to visit. I was in the third grade and Lester, my classmate, had brought an idea forward that we should make green placemates so we were in the middle of that and I didn’t want to leave. Plus she told me that I had a baby brother and I was promised a sister so I really wasn’t into the whole thing (sorry bro you know I love you!). I remember going to the office and having the principal call us a taxi because how else would we get there?!?
I remember calling her on September 11th after those planes hit the World Trade Center as my parents were in Greece and staying with her. With the realization of how fragile life truly was I wanted to find comfort in my parents’ voices.
She answered the phone like she always did with a “λεγετε” (speak)
I replied γεια σου θεια. (Hello Auntie)
Ελλα Ρουλιτσα μου, τι κανεις; (Hi Roulitsa, what are you doing?)
Καλα θεια μπορω να μιλισω στους γονεις μου; (I’m good Auntie, can I speak to my parents please?)
Δεν ειναι εδω ειναι στο θεατρο. (They aren’t here they are at the theater.)
And I vividly remember saying to her, εδω ο κοσμος χανετε και αυτοι ειναι στο θεατρο; (here the world is ending and they’re at the theater?)
I explained to her what had happened and to please have them call me.
Of course with every passing birthday for me, there was also a passing birthday for her as well and although we want our loved ones to live forever the realization is that they won’t. We can only hope that they are gifted health for as long as is God’s will. Well my Theia was called into God’s arms last week. I have no doubt that she is joined with my grandparents, my uncles and my cousin George. I can only hope that they watch down over me and my entire family. We have another angel among us.
Αιωνια σου η μνημη θεια. May your memory be eternal.
I found this tattoo image on Pintrest and thought it was fitting as it states: She flies with her own wings.
A little ditty about Jack and Diane...no really in all seriousness I'm a daughter, sister, wife and mother. I'm a Greek-American, who has transplanted in Canada. As a first time mom I'm sharing some things as I go along.
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