Vera



I have had cause of late to reconsider this blog. When I first started it, my idea was to create a kind of travelogue, an arena to share my travels with all and sundry, written with a vague photo-journalist voice muted with friendly distant soulless blog-speak. I deliberately decided to bleach this blog clean, keep it untarnished with any possible traces of my own personae. Why? Because, as the events of my life have shown me clearly, nobody really wants to know the real me: the dark and brooding thoughts that sometimes cloud my mind, the unconventional hopes and desires that sometimes offend and disturb the more normal (sane?) of my associations, the random philosophical ramblings that leave people walking away and shaking their heads with either pathetic empathy or frustrated annoyance. I am the proud possessor of a lifetime legacy of having pushed those closest to me away. Hence, I decided, to leave myself out of my blog. Better just to give you pretty pictures, no?

But then, I must ask, why should I do that? Why should I do that? Anybody can google info on Greek holidays, and probably learn much more than I could describe from my own limited excursions. Is that the purpose of my existence, and is that how I choose to utilize the internet, this dumping ground for each of our own personal self-eulogies? Is this how I want to be remembered: some random bland traveler?

I have decided then to share the real me, the real thoughts that flitter through my torpid brain. I may as well expose the heart of myself for posterity; even if I am remembered badly, i will be remembered.

But, at the same time, I don't want to be solely self-serving. I am thankfully past the immature stage of my life where all my thoughts are about myself. Thus, I would like to inaugurate this new phase of my blog by introducing you to one of the most special, inspiring, and beautiful people in have ever known: Vera.

I met Vera in Moldova several year ago. she immediately captured my attentions with the sheer force of her intrinsic beauty. But then I got to know who she is beneath the skin, and I was overwhelmed by the sheer force of her character. Obviously, Vera is an extremely beautiful woman, but she defies the stereotype by possessing a heart and soul that are definitively compassionate. Vera is a supremely caring individual who always puts others before herself. indeed, while many of her countrypeople choose to leave Moldova to seek their fortunes in a country that is not so poor and corrupt, Vera chose to stay and struggle through the hardships of the Moldovan lifestyle, all so her daughter could know her family. Vera is, moreover, a thoughtful and intelligent individual, who reads voraciously and pursues her ongoing education with vigor and enthusiasm. Vera is, without question, one of the most outstanding individuals I have ever met, and a great source of inspiration for me personally. She reminds me of the importance of compassion, selflessness, and a life devoted to higher ambitions than self-serving good times. She is a gorgeous woman who could use her natural gifts to catapult her towards a life of material accumulations, but she lives instead just to make her daughter happy and to edify her own character. she reminds me, with the example of her life, how beautiful really is humility and selflessness. It is a lesson I sorely have needed to apprehend in my own life, and I am thankful to have such a dear friend as Vera to look to and remember what is really important. She is one of those rare women who, though amazingly beautiful outside, is actually more beautiful inside, and thus I - just as anyone who knows her - cannot help but love her.

So, I celebrate Vera. She inspires me to better myself with the example of her life, and I think of her often when I am feeling overwhelmed by self-pity and remember that, really, what oneself feels doesn't matter anyway, not compared to how those in your life feel because of you. I strive only to adhere to this principle, and I thank Vera - and those like her whom I have known: my mom, Ana, and many more - who always put the needs of others before their own. Thank you all for living life properly, and reminding me that there is a better way.