efharisto

*Note: for an abbreviated way to hear about our trip, watch: McBrooHahas gadabout: Barb and Ellie's Video Journal: http://youtu.be/V6iXadgjw9I

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"What does efharisto mean?" Mom asked me twenty hours into our trek to Greece.

"Not sure, you'll have to ask someone" I said as I brushed off her question as a distant, and perhaps incomplete memory being drawn on.

The word, however, stuck with Mom.  Today she asked a (Greek!) friend and he told us it means 'thank you'.  He was impressed by Mom's memory, as I quietly meditated on how it's such an apt phrase to draw on.

After over thirty hours/four separate flights (what was three-months ago Ellie, thinking?!) Mom and I finally made it safely, soundly, and exhaustedly to our hotel in Athens.  Post-crashing and resting up, we spent the afternoon with our friend, Thomas, who made the trek from a town north of Athens to show us around.  We walked through Monastiraki Square, saw the changing of the guards at Syntagma Square at ate a delicious Greek lunch at a popular Athenian restaurant.  After saying goodbye to Thomas and catching a late-afternoon nap, we went up Mt. Lycabettus to see the sunset over Athens.  All in all, our first day of sightseeing has been an excellent blend of rest, venust, and fellowship.

And now for a broader reflection on our trip thus far: Mom is in constant awe of all things new and beautiful, and I am in constant awe of Mom.  I captured more of this sentiment in my journal tonight: "I love exploring and the independence of autonomous travel; combine this with Mom's patience, joyful spirit, and constant awe and excitement in all that is new around her, and I feel confident that this trip is going to be a defining moment of richness that we will carry throughout our lives."

With that in mind -- I am grateful for all who are supporting us with prayers and well-wishes, airport rides, and holding things down on the home front in our absence (and on and on I could go).

Signing off with a heartfelt 'efharisto' to all family and friends, all around the world.

{blurry IPad shot of the patio-view of the Acropolis that greeted us when we arrived to our hotel room early this AM}