Reflection Times of a Beautiful Soul.

You know that there are so many sayings for a time when folk lose someone they love - "Gone to a better place" - "We share your loss " - "See you on the other side", but these kind of platitudes always seem inadequate to me.

The reality is just like the quote from our Queen----

 

And she is not wrong about that -- when all said and done we are blessed in the first place to be able to say that we had Love at all-- many people never have that experience.

So it is joyous that we can eulogise about an individual who has managed to both find and give love and touch so many people in many different ways.

There are many experiences in life when you travel around --locally and internationally -- and you get to meet all manner of people, some that you will never like-just because of the feeling they give-- and others that you know that you will both like and be friends with .

But there are a handful that you just know will be something much more-- even though you will be 3000 miles from each other and will see each other only half a dozen times and for the most part will keep in touch with what they are doing in their lives via Facebook and his incredible family-- but that is exactly how it has been with Pantelis Kosmas and me. Him in Portland and Me in London(or Greece).

So after a week where the news that this wonderful person left this earth where tears were never far away every time we saw more outpourings from so many people that this incredible man touched during his life.

Forever the one who knows how to pose for a picture -- but this guy was kindness itself , had a heart as big as a house and shared his love of his family and of his life all around. Most of the man he became -- and that of his brother Christos came from the strong family and the guidance from his Baba & Mama , who loved them unreservedly ---was defining and the support they gave both boys at all times ---

Left to right is Pantelis, the beautiful Mamma Anna and the very Handsome ( definitely not the ugly brother Chris) Christos.

 

And here it is Christos , the very handsome and our great friend Soulis (or Tom to some) and again Pantelis.

 

I really love these guys-- the first time that we met them in Portland--we did know them all from when they were visiting Aegina to see their Greek family-- they welcomed us like they had seen us only last week .

 

Another similarity that we share is that the Kosmas family have a wonderful holiday home in the delightful coastal hamlet called "Seaside" as we have with the house on Aegina. For so many years these guys have had amazing breaks there with family , friends and waifs and strays--(that's us Brits). Almost every weekend there is someone in this place and the memories for all who have been will be delightful.

 

Occasionally , you even get the whole family together--rare occasions but they must be captured--

 

 

 

Doesn't the weather look great--- trust me it isn't always that good--one of the times that we went out there from Portland with Anna Soulis and Rod & Ann, it hammered down all day with rain so we all got hammered indoors on white wine and ouzo -- ok so not you Anna.

 

For those of you who have never heard of Seaside, I bet you heard of The Oregon Trail--so this was back in the days of the great explorers and in this case it was from the guys in the statue below--

 

This is Lewis & Clarke

They hit the pacific and turned round and headed east and  went back across the USA--- they must have been so tired--

 

I am very proud to wear the Blue and White of the Mad Greek Deli soccer shirt and even more proud of Pantelis for his support and wearing the mighty Chelsea shirt--

Don't think I ever looked so cool in a Chelsea shirt.

 

One for you Pondo---Go Timbers---

 

 

We were privileged to have shared an Easter or Pasca  to some- with Pantelis and Gina & their children among a host of others, as well as the rest of the family and their friends---Greeks will share their Lamb with anyone-

 Gina would have loved this picture below and wow is Austin the split of her--

I shall treasure the Mad Greek polo shirt I have as well--

 

 We have pictures of many other meetings and I really like this one-- even if I was not there--

In Aegina Island of course

And to be able to have shared our House , Kardia - with these wonderful people on their holiday with their Greek family---

And for them to pay a visit to the carved stone behind, of the Madonna and Child, carved by their uncle Vangelis Antonio, who we loved dearly--such wonderful memories--

 The best man --- sorry Chris

 Ready for Pistachio picking---bit early I think

 Always ready to screw up an important photo but at least this time he is in front and not jumping around behind people who think they are having a very serious picture taken--

And a long over-due picture of the truly amazing Lori --who we know managed to capture Pantelis heart and made him whole again--- I love this picture but there are hundreds of you both that would equally show the love you both have had for each other.

Love this of the Kosmas men folk on the patio in Seaside--- whose the bird watcher-- was that you boys looking at the non feathered variety

Looking good Pondo with the lady in Red.

 And of course at the end of a long hard day -- lots of brotherly love in this picture.

So this was us going through the next part of our journey and my undying memory was from Chris turning up at the house with a hamper for the 4 of us -- Lynda , Ann , Rod and me -- will be heading down the Pacific highway , and the send off from the Mad Greek Deli from Pondo before we set off--you are really an amazingly generous family , both with gifts and with your love---

 

I could keep going all day but to help close this out for now I share these who are all thinking of you Pantelis and of Lori and ALL of the family---

 

And this bunch

And these guys

 

From these 2 rich folk--

 

 

And with all those not on this blog post--

 

 

Oh and from these guys as well--

 

 

And these 2 didn't quite understand but we know they would wish you well----if they could speak of course--

 

This might not be the last time I write something on here regarding my friend Pantelis but for now lets just say that the world is a sadder place without you Pondo and for me the sun definitely went down in more glory when you left us---

 

Kalo Taxithi