My last day in Paros was perfect. In the morning I went to the studio early and played my Holiday playlist as I unstapled and rolled up my canvases. It was quiet, peaceful, and reflective. Slowly everyone else arrived to start their shutdowns as well. John arranged at the last minute a farewell luncheon in Lefkes, a mountain town that was the start of most of our hikes. We sat in the Greek sun, drank wine, watched the Aegean and the mountains, ate saganaki, spinach fritters, greek salad, meatballs, and finished with yogurt drenched in greek honey. Laughter, beauty, companionship and good food. How bad can that be? With my packing mostly under control I wandered to the harbor and sat at my favorite spot and had tea and watched this sunset. But wait…there’s still more….
Not only did I have the luncheon, the sunset, and the knowledge I could get everything into my suitcase, but at 7:30 was the Paros Christmas tree lighting event. The square in front of the Church of a Hundred Doors was filled with families, food tables, Santa, and flags. From the top of the church there were two snow machines blowing flakes across the crowd, swirling not so gently in the wind. From the stage there was a ballet performance of little children, choirs, piano, and a traditional greek band.
For entertainment there were kite-like structures with flames on the bottom that were launched from the roof of the church. They were like hot air balloons that were to drift and burn out over the countryside. But the first one landed in a palm tree in the square after hitting an electric light. Another just dropped right into the crowd. Two actually did as planned – but the oohs and aahs that initially came from the crowd switched to a much more apprehensive eeks and shoulder shrugging.
And then a universal ooh and aah as the tree was lit. Gotta love the Greeks. Gotta love my perfect day.
Tonight I am in Athens at the Airport Sofitel. There’s a big bed with fluffy mattress, a shower with thick towels, and lights to read by!!! I can hardly wait to have enough hot water to have a full shower. Oh you have no idea how blessed are the little things in life. The flight was on time and I’m all checked in for tomorrow mornings flight. The question is how strict are the Germans? I’m on Lufthansa and my bag weighed 24 kilos at the Paros airport. The Greeks were fine with the extra 1 kilo, but I don’t know if I have to repack and change a few things to my carry-on. So close to being legitimate, but could be so far.
Tomorrow will not be my perfect day – 2 hours prior to flight to arrive at the airport (4:55 AM) a 3 hour flight to Frankfurt, a 5 hour layover, an 11 1/2 hour flight to Houston. Sheer adrenaline will carry me through until I drop into bed. Slowly as I regain my bearings I will start to readjust to my old life that seems so very far away right now. The plane will offer me plenty of time to contemplate what has happened to my perspective during this journey. Until that percolates through from my head to my heart and out my fingers, I will send you my joy of the season and blessings of safe travels.
Lisa Oberreuter 
Dear Lisa,
A beautiful sunset and wonderful description of your farewell gathering. Wishing you a safe and no-hassle journey home. Returned from trip to CR to visit mom and looked through mail and found the most dear surprise: your custom-made postcard!!! Indeed, it will be framed and everytime I look at it will remind me of you and your journey these past months. Thank you so much. Lisa, your ponderings have been amazing to read. You took on a lot of “new” surroundings, people, culture, food, even daily changes that we take for granted and you made it. You did not let fear of the unknown surround you; I see that you trusted and believed and took everything in — even your injury— and saw the good. What an experience…and your sense of humor is intact. Thank goodness.
Again, sweet blessings on your return trip. Please know that your postcard just makes me smile everytime I look at it. Love, Carolyn