Sofia, sending you a hug - our family has never had one home for long, so I cannot imagine the emotions you’re going through. But, as you said, new chapters & building new memories. I love the image I have of you poring over old photos & mementoes, I hope they bring you lots of joy. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you for your empathy, Kay. My sister will also be coming over from Kassos, our native island, so it will be a kind of reunion. I will try to make the last memories of that home beautiful.
Sofia, I was touched by how clearly you laid out what you’ve been going through all these years - the contradictions of holding on and letting go - so hard. May you now walk in the city you love and grew up with a new freedom and lightness. Love the pics!!
Dear Robyn, thank you once again for engaging with my writing and for your wishes. I will try to meet up with old friends and relatives too, so it will be good. Thank you!
Your vulnerability, heart and writing flow like warm milk, Sofia. What a gift to untangle all of these threads and share them with others as we are all much more alike than we are different. I'm sending you and the many layers of grief warm hugs as we head towards the cold days of winter. So grateful to know you...
My dear Liz, your words mean so much to me! So true that we are united by so much more, especially grief. Thank you for your warm hugs - I will tap into them whenever I need it XXX
You opened your heart and unburdened much with this releasing sharing. I’m crying with joy for you.
Think of the flat, your memories, and the object mementos as sandbags that hold down a hot air balloon. When you are ready to fly, you can cut the ropes and be free. And fly, to greater heights and lightness of being.
The flat, the memories, the material things will still exist, except that you’ll no longer be owned by them. They’ll be put in perspective as simply a stage of your life.
My dear Rita, I loved your words: so poetic, so true and inspiring! I loved the way you reframe the memories as sandbags. I'm still buzzing from our recent meet up, and hope that we will meet again sometime. In the meantime, keep well. XXX
Dear Sofia, it is a tough one and I guess finally we do come to terms with having to move on or leave ‘stuff’ for the next generation. Just had a year of this as we tried to sell the house where my children grew up. I have just posted about it because that is what is still on my mind. I have always lived or been based in London and now I am not. It would still be good to try and meet up but I will have to focus on short trips to London. It was so difficult last year to find time and energy outside sorting out the loft and ‘stuff’. I also love the Power of Now.
Dear Georgina, thank you for sharing your experiences. Is this the house in Heston that was close to our old house? Next time you're in London, do let me know - I'd love to meet up, possibly with some old colleagues too. I recently realised that Tony lives close to my house! (my email is sakoutlaki@gmail.com)
I know how this is, Sophia. I'm still holding onto 'stuff' from my mother who died in 1979, and my aunties who died in 2005 and 2007. my kids are gong to be furious when they have to clear that lot! I hope you find peace now that the decision is made and there's no going back
Thank you for reading, Sue. My father used to joke that whoever would take on the task of clearing out would have a hell of a job (he knew it would be me). I will feel better once the process is over. Thank you for your good wishes!
Incoherent? I don't think so. How about honest and succinct and moving? I love your writing, Sofia.
Dear Lillian, thank you for your rephrasing, for reading and for your kind comments. It feels good to know you are there!
Sofia, sending you a hug - our family has never had one home for long, so I cannot imagine the emotions you’re going through. But, as you said, new chapters & building new memories. I love the image I have of you poring over old photos & mementoes, I hope they bring you lots of joy. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you for your empathy, Kay. My sister will also be coming over from Kassos, our native island, so it will be a kind of reunion. I will try to make the last memories of that home beautiful.
A reunion of sorts sounds wonderful & I'm sure you will succeed in making your last memories there joyous. X
Sofia, I was touched by how clearly you laid out what you’ve been going through all these years - the contradictions of holding on and letting go - so hard. May you now walk in the city you love and grew up with a new freedom and lightness. Love the pics!!
Dear Robyn, thank you once again for engaging with my writing and for your wishes. I will try to meet up with old friends and relatives too, so it will be good. Thank you!
Oh, hug! That is such a beautiful piece and I wish you the best of luck in your new beginning
Thank you Meliha! I hope we'll catch up soon IRL
"It’s been a heavy burden, difficult to carry, even more difficult to set down." So well said. Thank you, as always, for your words.
Thank you for reading, Susannah. It means a lot to me!
I agree with Lillian. This was lovely and achingly beautiful, Sofia. I love those pics of you and your sis too! Big hugs!
Oh thank you for reading and for the hugs, Jodi! Lots of love!
Your vulnerability, heart and writing flow like warm milk, Sofia. What a gift to untangle all of these threads and share them with others as we are all much more alike than we are different. I'm sending you and the many layers of grief warm hugs as we head towards the cold days of winter. So grateful to know you...
My dear Liz, your words mean so much to me! So true that we are united by so much more, especially grief. Thank you for your warm hugs - I will tap into them whenever I need it XXX
Dearest Sofia,
You opened your heart and unburdened much with this releasing sharing. I’m crying with joy for you.
Think of the flat, your memories, and the object mementos as sandbags that hold down a hot air balloon. When you are ready to fly, you can cut the ropes and be free. And fly, to greater heights and lightness of being.
The flat, the memories, the material things will still exist, except that you’ll no longer be owned by them. They’ll be put in perspective as simply a stage of your life.
Much love,
R
My dear Rita, I loved your words: so poetic, so true and inspiring! I loved the way you reframe the memories as sandbags. I'm still buzzing from our recent meet up, and hope that we will meet again sometime. In the meantime, keep well. XXX
It is always a pleasure to read your posts Sofia. Warm, enquiring. Never incoherent.
Thank you Fiona! your comments are so encouraging - thank you!
🙏🏼🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
Thanks for the positive energy, Ash!
Dear Sofia, it is a tough one and I guess finally we do come to terms with having to move on or leave ‘stuff’ for the next generation. Just had a year of this as we tried to sell the house where my children grew up. I have just posted about it because that is what is still on my mind. I have always lived or been based in London and now I am not. It would still be good to try and meet up but I will have to focus on short trips to London. It was so difficult last year to find time and energy outside sorting out the loft and ‘stuff’. I also love the Power of Now.
Dear Georgina, thank you for sharing your experiences. Is this the house in Heston that was close to our old house? Next time you're in London, do let me know - I'd love to meet up, possibly with some old colleagues too. I recently realised that Tony lives close to my house! (my email is sakoutlaki@gmail.com)
I know how this is, Sophia. I'm still holding onto 'stuff' from my mother who died in 1979, and my aunties who died in 2005 and 2007. my kids are gong to be furious when they have to clear that lot! I hope you find peace now that the decision is made and there's no going back
Thank you for reading, Sue. My father used to joke that whoever would take on the task of clearing out would have a hell of a job (he knew it would be me). I will feel better once the process is over. Thank you for your good wishes!