Ah! The memories of 2014 roll gently through my mind. Such a wonderful year of travel and friends and family! I shall always treasure my travel. I love flying, driving in new places, and meeting new and wonderful people of different cultures. I yearn to return to where my heart abides.
I began the year not quite knowing what would happen, but knowing I needed to return to Turkey and Mesut. It had been 5 yrs (New Years' 2009) since we had been together and during that time I had gone through breast cancer and then taking care of my father who was becoming more and more feeble. But God provided for me to be able to fly to Turkey in March. We traveled through the Istanbul Aquarium (but jet lag had set in so I was tired). From there we traveled to Troy and saw the trojan horse built for the movie Troy. We next traveld to Canakkale on the Aegean Sea and saw how the Australian troops fought the Turks and both sides finally decided it was not worth more deaths and aided each other. We crossed on a ferry (very cold) but then explored other ancient areas. Then Mesut told me of a surprise. We would drive to Izmir City on the Mediterranean and then fly to Cyprus.
I have a long time blogging friend I had never met who lives in Larnaca. She is very dear to me, and after living life trying to find love in all the wrong places, she and another Cypriot convinced me I was worth so much more to God, to others and to myself.... (it was soon after that Mesut and I met). Because Mesut is Turkish he could only go into the city of Nicosia without a visa, which would have taken months. We explored the bazaar; traveled through the streets and even stayed in a lovely hotel with a casino (not like ours but we won $260). On the weekend, I walked through security of the Turks and the security of the Greeks. I witnessed the Greek parade of the band and finally, while sitting outside a coffee shop, my friend Anastasia arrived. We knew each other immediately. We had tea and then traveled to Larnaca. We had a wonderfully displayed and very delicious array of all kinds of fish, breads, spreads, cucumbers, cheeses, and fries.
She and her husband, Alkis put me up in Alkis' hotel, the Golden Bay. They put me on the 4th floor which had a beautiful view of the mountains, neighboring villages and of course it was right on the Mediterranean. So beautiful. The ocean lapping on the shore put me to sleep. The next day we explored other parts of Larnaca. I tired easily but I was (am) really out of shap. The entire day was so wonderful. Then that evening, we had dinner in the hotel restaurant, after drinks and Greek music and dance in the beautiful lounge. The food again was tremendous.
I was able to go to Anastasia's school where she is administrator and teacher of Greek children learning British English in order to get into good British colleges. It reminded me of when I was an ELL teacher. We had a wonderful cup of tea at her flat and then another glorious meal of souvlaka and breads overlooking McKenzie Beach.
I returned sadly to Nicosia, wanting to spend more time with Alkis and Anastasia but also sad Mesut had not gotten the opportunity to meet these wonderful people.
The final luxurious stay was 3 days at a spa resort in Pamakkale. I could have spend my life there with the Turkish baths, the mud bath (though I had a hard time breathing) and being carried through the heated pool and enjoying swimming (awkwardly) in this pool. We had 2 Turkish baths and then 2 full body massages (one Thai and one relaxation) I begged the massuse to come home with me but she said, Madame, I have a husband and children.
Returning home was very difficult. Each time I spend time with Mesut, it gets harder and harder to leave. I was able to meet and speak (Ha) to his friends with the minimal Turkish I have learned. We both cried the night before I left and I absolutely hated going.
When I returned I found my sister, Judy was to have her left leg amputated due to MRCA. The infection had spread into her pelvis. I was afraid I would never see her again, so in June and part of July, I spent 2 wks with her. She was so thin I barely recognized her but she was so glad I had come. We played cards, looked a travel pictures, and talked, and talked, and talked. I hated to leave her then also but promised I would be back, and as it turned out that would be mid November.
In the 'down time', I had Monday "Aunt Cookie Day" working with my great niece and nephews. We made crafts, made gifts; tea parties; movie days and we read many books. So far The Boxcar Children in their favorite book.
My father was becoming weaker and weaker and more demanding in what he expected from me and all his doctor appts. I didn't mind "doing" things for him.... he's my dad....but some days I was exhausted and didn't feel like leaving the house. Between dad's dr appts and my own dr appts, my calendar was full to overflowing.
Mid November, Barbara and I, armed with boots, coats, gloves and hats (though she said we would not need them)..... we did. It was very cold; rainy, icy, and then snow. We visited with my sister, cousins and their parents who are also elderly and in need of nursing help but refusing it. We traveled to NY to see Barbara's family; went to Turning Stone Casino; then to Foxwood Casino (lovely) and then back to Allentown and one last visit with my sister and cousin.
Aunt Cookie Day was "hurry up; make those gifts for mom and dad" and get them wrapped.... and then it happened. I was at the dr waiting for the bus to deliver my dad but he was not there so I called him. He said he fell and had been on the floor almost 11 hours. I called 911 (which he refused). Then the next day, he fell again. I do not remember much more because I got extremely ill and with fever, hallucinations, cough meds, antibiotics, inhalers and hot/cold sweats, I was out of commission. My dad fell 2 other times and ended up in the hospital for 8 days (so they tell me). He is now in rehab for several weeks. Thank God for my brother Gary and his wife who were with him almost continually as well as their son and Barbara. Dad does not want to be in rehab but he cannot move in with me until he has strengthened his weak side and learned to build up his muscles and to walk with a walker.
2015. I do not remember Christmas (which I did not celebrate). I have gifts to wrap and clean up to do but right now I cannot rush right into things as I did when I had surgery in September. I wore myself down so I could do nothing.
My goals for this year are to get organized; purge things I do NOT need or want; get dad moved in and hopefully make a trip to Turkey, even if there is no extra travel. I want to get closer to God and my family; save money; complete crafts I began and did not get to complete yet.... and clean!!!!
I'm sure as time advances and my body heals, I will be adding more things to the list but for now, I am very thankful for being alive; for my dad's life; my family's help with dad and Barbara's help with dad and me while I've been sick. So many things for which to be thankful and believe me, I am.
Happy New Year! Mutlu Yillar! God bless you all in the coming year and may God grant us peace in our world.
Oh Faith, reading this wonderful post of yours brought back so many happy memories! How can I ever forget the day we first met in person in my hometown Nicosia and the wonderful time we had together in Larnaca? I only wish you had stayed longer. I am also thankful to Mesut who did not hesitate to spend a weekend alone in a foreign country so that you could meet me and Alkis. Mesut is a wonderful person and he loves you so much. 2014 was a year to remember, a landmark in my life, and I do look forward to meeting up again in the forseable future. Thank you so much for being such a great friend all these years. May 2015 bring you immense happiness in everything you do.
Posted by: Anastasia | 01/04/2015 at 06:36 AM