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Here, I am...
Retired,
Happy,
Sitting on the relaxing throne of my age,
Reminiscing what I went through in life.
A mere spectator I have now become,
Observing in silence the works of men,
Having no worries
Of carrier advancement,
Of acceptance,
Of recognition...

Free at last!
Liberated, I feel from all of this soul-disturbing
Situations that preoccupy humans, all life long, 
To enable themselves to survive.
 
When young,
Things were different...
As I wanted to change things,
I roamed the world, visiting all continents but one.
Myriad of dreams I had, each demanding to be realized,

From my part, I did my best despite life's hardships...
Starting with the loss of both of my parents 
When I was in my early teens...
Then, poverty came, and orphanage.
After that, the struggle for survival intensified- 
With me, working and studying.
Being alone at the age of fifteen is not a laughing matter!
Afterward, I served for two years in the army, 
Became a track-and-field long-distance athlete, 
Marathon included,
Immigrated to Canada.

Knowing no one over there, 
Speaking little English, and having no money...
Life was a living hell for a long period of time,
But slowly things turned around,
For, Canada is a great country.
It gave me chances to work 
And the opportunity to study.

I started working during the day, 
Going to university in the evening,
Learned English, French, and German,
Did my undergraduate studies, and then 
completed my post-graduate studies,
Started teaching, 
Had my own philosophical TV and Radio program 
In three languages at a community station,
Became an author, 
Got married,
Had a daughter.

Eighteen years later, I found myself back in Greece...
I directed different schools and private colleges, and
In collaboration with professors from Athens University,
Helped to organize international congresses on 
Philosophy, religion, politics, education, and peace.  
Afterward, out of moral obligation, 
I was involved in politics, and run six times
For the Greek and four times for the
European parliament with no success.
I did humanitarian work: Consoling people,
Visiting hospitals, mental institutions, and 
Under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Justice, 
Prisons-high security ones included...   
 
Life obligated me to meet people from all walks of life:
Poor men and women who had nothing at all,
Rich and the very rich who had everything.
The illiterate who could not read or write as well as
Famous professors and writers.
Moreover, I met politicians:
Members of Parliament,
Ministers, 
Prime Ministers, and 
Presidents of different countries.
Also, I came in contact with religious men of
Many denominations:
Bishops, 
Archbishops, 
Patriarchs, Mullahs,
But also, many criminals: 
Thieves, rapists, murderers, including some who
Committed fratricide, matricide, and patricide.
 
I had a harsh and, at times, torturous life
But never a boring one...
I was born in an occupied country during the Second WW and lived
The first five years while a civil war was raging.
 
If one would ever ask me to live my life again, 
My reply would be a thunderous NO!
I could not take it anymore,
Unless...
It was to live it again for a higher purpose, 
Such as to help achieve world peace.
 
If one asks me what beautifies life, without hesitation, 
I would say- LOVE and LEARNING.

If one makes inquiries about where 
I drew the strength to overcome all hardships,
I would say, my unshakable faith in God, 
Who adopted me after the death of my parents,
And my undying love for my fellow man.

If one wishes to know 
What is the most difficult thing in life, my reply will be:
“To accept life as well as to accept oneself.
Now, in the degree we do not accept life or ourselves,
We suffer!
 
If one insists on finding out 
What is essential for any person in life,
The answer for me is “To know himself, to be truthful to himself, and 
To do the best he can by using 
The abilities our Lord has provided him with..
That means it is better to be a fine butcher than a lousy doctor!

Finally,
One should never fear death for the simple reason: 
None is exempted!
Death for me is a celestial pillow 
Upon which the soul rests for a while,
Dreaming of the life to come!
Life much resembles the sea, which, either turbulent or 
Calm, has the same depth!
 
Accept life, and in time one may learn 
How to face death with equanimity!
I am at that point now, with no regrets, other than 
I could learn more and
Could have done more in my life.

I thank God for each day I have lived, as I thank 
All those who, directly or indirectly, have enriched 
My life's experience and have helped me live
This adventure we call "life", including all of you who
Are reading these lines now!

 
© Demetrios Trifiatis
      05 August 2017

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