The much-loved FATHER – Stratis Evangelinelis – of my dear friend and host here in Athens – Christos Evangelinelis died this week after several dignified weeks in which he had the grace and good-will to say "good-bye" to his family, long-time friends, and former students and colleagues. 

This amazing man led a family that "adopted" me during months when I lived in Athens related to my art-work here. This family allowed me to experience the joy of FAMILY when I was invited for Christmas, New Years, or simply 'Sunday dinner.'  I hope the family has some idea of what those times meant to me – I may have had a 'biological' father, but I never experienced what a FATHER could be until I experienced the unconditional love and acceptance of Stratis Evangelinelis. 

I am often asked WHY I return so often to a country where I have no family.  My answer is because of the love and acceptance that I feel when I come here -- the family of Stratis Evangelinelis IS THE FAMILY I picture when I answer that question. The family knows I love them, and they are beginning to know HOW MUCH I love them. Bless you and thank you Stratis – your love and your smile of welcome will live forever in my heart.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor, and the 'honorary' Editor for Greece, as well, for Wandering Educators