Firsts

With the new year starting, it is always a good time to reflect on the year that has past . . . at least that’s something I like to do.

I like to think about people I had to say goodbye to and will dearly miss.

My mind worries about those who have fallen ill, and celebrates with those who have recovered. My heart fills with pride when realizing how much my kids have grown, both physically and mentally, and of having spent another Christmas with my mother.

Every year we also go through some firsts.

A first for me this year was fanmail, yesssssss, believe me it’s highly appreciated.  

According to the editor of this paper, one fan-letter sent to you represents 60 letters that people wanted to send, but never got around to writing it.

Now, the editor is American by birth, so I am guessing this 60-letter thing is an American standard. Hmmmmm, I believe it is fair to adjust the number to European standards (let’s face it, we are lazy writers) to about 120 per one written letter. This means almost 500 people (I have received 4 letters) actually thought about writing to me.

Wow! I didn’t even think so many people would read my little brain-bugs.

Now, that’s a good first.

Another first of mine this year was more gutsy and stressful. I have successfully attacked our insurance system: IKA.

Never had I tried to before, but there was no escaping it this time. My youngest needed glasses and they are expensive.

So, armed with health books, blue cards, lists of stamps received over the past 15 years, I drove down to the IKA building in Nea Alikarnassos. It seemed there was no need for that. If you want a doctors appointment you just call 184.

Okay. Greece is getting organized. Back in my house, I dialed the number and was cordially greeted by a tape (lovely) after which, I’m guessing, a four-year-old hit the backbone out of his xylophone while playing some unrecognizable Mozart tune.

Fifteen minutes long, at least!

While assessing the damage to my eardrums, a “live” voice came on: parakalo?

“Yes please, I would like to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for my daughter.”

“No problem madam, the first opening is in a month and a half.”

“Excuse me???  My daughter will be blind by then!”

Not so organized, after all.

But, I was told, I could go without an appointment, say it’s an emergency and try to get in the old Greek way.

So, the next morning we were off to the IKA building, again. We did get in, my daughter got her glasses, IKA paid for the doctor and an extra 95 euros towards the glasses. It took me, all-in-all, six trips back and forth to Heraklion, but in the end the system worked.

Another really good first.

All of this makes me wonder about the firsts 2008 will bring.

Things I have never done, but should attempt the coming year.

Ride a horse, learn how to play the saxophone, raise my fan-mail letter record, start that book, get that rent-subsidy everyone is talking about....

Ahhh, the year will be too short.

On top of all the cliché wishes,  I wish you an exciting, adventurous and successful 2008 with many, many firsts of your own.