02. Oct 2023

Molos - Arkitsa

Today was the day of two widows...

Photo 1: This morning I met Klaus in the community kitchen at the campground where I spent the night. He was traveling with his mother, Margret from northern Germany to the family's vacation house on the Greek island Kreta. Margret had recently survived a stroke. The limitations of human life became very real. Her one wish was to once again to make the trip to Kreta and spend some time at the cottage there. Klaus purchased a camper to make it possible for that wish to come true. Later his wife would join them there. The story touched my heart. It reminded me of when my mother made her last trip to visit me and my family in Germany when she was 81. We knew this would be her last visit with us on the European continent. I have etched in my memory how she held on to my arm as we slowly took walks down the street where my family and I live. She was so happy just to be there. Those moments remain forever now as treasured memories. I told Klaus that I would love to pray for him and his mother, their trip and special time together at the cottage on Kreta, which I then did. We talked and prayed... and created a new memory sealed with this photo.

Photo 2-3: I finally made it back to the coast.

Photo 4: Lunch break

Photo 5: Sunset in Arkitsa...
I arrived at the one star hotel where I planned to stay the night. No one was at the reception. In the kitchen I found an older woman dressed in black, typical dress of widow in Greece. She could speak no German or English. She made a call to her grandson, 14 years old, who came to the reception and spoke English quite well. While he was looking in the computer for my reservation, I noticed a picture of an older man by the rack where the keys were hanging. I asked if that might be the grandfather. The teenage receptionist said it was and that he was the husband of his grandmother who was still standing there. I said that he looked like a very friendly person and was sure that he was greatly missed. The grandson then translated my comments to his grandmother. They were orthodox Christians, so I encouraged them with the hope we have in Jesus, that he defeated death with his resurrection. Because Jesus lives, we shall live as well. I also told them about the walk I was doing. They wanted to know how old I was and were astounded to hear that I am 67. I then told my story of coming to know Jesus when I was 16. I said to the grandson that the earlier he would start to follow Jesus, the better. Jesus would lead him to the purpose for why God created him. At this point the dad came in, the current owner of the hotel, who needed his son to help him do sonething.

What was interesting, both Margret and this Greek grandmother were 87 years old.