In his twilight years, he had married a Foreign 'lady' who was in her late 20s early 30s. It was his third marriage. His first marriage ended in divorce, his second marriage to Ioanna whom I was very fond of died from cancer, and then the Foreign lady. I never trusted her. There was no love, and firmly believed that she had her motives. My uncle was a well off or well to do person. I could never imagine her actually enjoying life with my eccentric uncle. My uncle was as you would say in Cyprus, extremely idiorythmos!
Of course there was an incident that had confirmed my suspicions but I won't get into that here.
Then the Foreign wife reveals her son from her native country. Later on, my uncle adopts him knowing he could never have children of his own. He descends or begins to succumb to a horrible disease; dementia. Every time I would visit, I could see some big changes in my uncle and it was not easy because I could remember a man that was larger than life and very adventurous and extremely intelligent.
To cut to the chase, my uncle died 2 years ago. I was in Cyprus. My children (twins) were barely 1 year olds back home. It was a horrible time. Relatives were telling me about all the going ons and how my uncle was manipulated and that foreigners will end up with my families very valuable (sentimentally speaking) estate. Our family did in fact lose everything. Property from my Uncles village belonging to the family for many generations. All that history just wiped out! Family roots and attachment destroyed, So many places which I have many fond memories of, yet my children will never see them and will never grow to appreciate this side of the family or their roots. A book that has seen its very final CHAPTER - THE END.
Most property has now been sold, and the inheritors of my families roots have left Cyprus for their native land. They are enjoying life as very wealthy individuals, and have now opened a hotel.
Of course this has left a very bitter taste in my mouth. What do I tell my kids? Should I tell them about their great uncle? I am not sure, because sometimes I have intense feelings of betrayal. In fact, I feel they have been betrayed. Their inheritance going back some many generations was taken from them and the rest of our family.
I was in Greece recently. I met my family there. We were in a spot I have fallen very much in love with. But when I was in Athens, we visited my wife's Godmother (she is Cypriot from Kyrenia). Her children live in New York and LA which we are also close to now (nice people). In 1974 after the invasion, my wife was born in an Athens Hospital prematurely. The Doctor had written her off. Priests came to read the last rights. My mother in Law insisted to have her baptized. My father in law was in prison in Adana, Turkey and presumed dead! But who was going to be Nono or Nona? The Doctor volunteered so he became Nono and baptized my wife. He even went out and bought her an expensive Gold Cross and Chain which my wife still has, whilst thinking the baby won't survive.
This Doctor passed some years ago. The good thing is, his assessment about my wife's survival was wrong.
Whilst visiting my wife's Godmother, whom we visit regularly and is a real nice lady, she told me something very interesting. She said that she hasn't been to Cyprus in 30+ years and has no interest in setting foot on Cyprus ever again. I asked why, and she said she felt that she had too many bad memories and felt betrayed. She does have a story to tell, similar to my experiences but not completely the same. I thought to myself, wow this is how I feel sometimes. actually dread visiting Cyprus now, because every time I hear the negativity and pass by some historically significant areas for my family, I feel down, very depressed, and get overcome by a lot of emotion and a strong sense of betrayal. I told this to my wife.
In contrast, in Greece I feel completely the opposite. I feel rejuvenated, like I have been reborn, and very happy. I enjoy the company of people I have met there. I enjoy the company of my wife's Godmother's husband, Leonidas (A former ND MP under Karamanlis believe it or not - and a great guy)! I enjoy the company of Georgios down by the fishing harbour near our little familie's hideaway. And I catch up with others I know when in Athens, people I am also fond of.
Then it was time to go to Cyprus. I told my wife, that I preferred to stay in Greece and told her I had plenty of DIY work to do here. So she left me behind. Problem is, my Son can never leave my side. But the relatives wanted to meet the children badly, so he had to be prized of me. Spending as much time as I do away from them is very painful.
I don't thing I will be staying away from Cyprus for 30 odd years. But I do avoid the place now. When I go, I need to avoid some family. Tsada is great still. I love by Dad's side.
But Cyprus is NOT the place that it use to be for me. I do not feel very good when I am there sometimes. It's kind of like, there is not as much there for me or my kids like I once use to think!
Anyway, just had to get all this of my chest. Even talking about it makes me feel slightly better. I guess I hope that someone can provide a good philosophical way of dealing with such things. I guess there are up to 200,000 Cypriots that can identify with this story too!
But in any case, Cyprus needs to look at these kinds of situations because there are many foreigners from poorer countries that target the elderly males, and sometimes, these things do effect the lives of their families in a very bad way.
But I love you all! That has not changed!
Early signs of dimentia ??
