JUNE 30, 2023 LOVE BY LOVE It was Christmas week 1983 on the Island of Cyprus — situated between Greece to the north and Turkey to the east — in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is mostly known for the strong Greek presence, but half of the island is under Turkish control. The weather is beautiful, comparable to San Diego, maybe a little cooler. The mountains on the west side of the Island get cold and there is snow skiing. The rest of the island is about beaches and quaint but very functional villages. Assorted discos, party spots and family restaurants are supported by big tourism in the summer from northern Europeans. The island could be considered as a theoretical bridge to the Middle East (Asia). The Cypriots are very warm, friendly and honest people. The stage has been set for this romantic tale of a truly pure Love, here at this old castle-like hotel on a mountain of Western Cyprus. And now for the characters destined to be intertwined in a cosmic struggle over Love lost. A young American ‘scratch’ about 18 years old named Martin was 6' 1" with brown hair, hazel eyes and a deep, beach-living tan. He was considered a handsome young man by most, with a light in his eyes that shines right into your soul, complementing an infectious smile with a colorful relentless energy and a consistently inquisitive nature. Martin was staying the week of Christmas at this beautiful, hidden, old castle-like hotel in the mountains of Cyprus with most of his assembled family. A captivating young Cypriot ‘light’ at 18 years old, Florentia, like Martin, had a personality that consumed the attention of a room. She had long, dark, flowing hair and relentlessly deep dark eyes that could not be escaped. Her smile was so warm as to settle an entire village all on its own. Respectfully, she was a beautiful young woman in all regards. Florentia also was there with her family for Christmas week. Martin and his family were sharing a large dinner provided by the hotel in the large dining room, when Florentia approached Martin at his dinner table. With a deep-eyed warm smile, she asked him to dance. Wow, is all Martin could think, tongue tied and speechless … this was a first for Martin … Speechless is not a word you would ever consider in a description of Martin. Now, his family knew that dancing in public was his weakness. His older brothers started in, while sister-in-law Tammy said, “Go, don’t leave her hangin’, screw those guys.” Martin had previous experience dating older Swedish teenagers before other, they did. All the other holiday residents of the hotel nicknamed them, “FloMarty.” That was the combo of their family given nicknames, “Flo” and MARKONA LOVE Groundcover contributor he was in high school, so shyness was not the issue — it was dancing in public. He was very bashful about dancing in front of others. This young woman clearly already had a hold on him, and once something got Martin’s attention, then that was going to be the most engaging subject there could be … all attention, full speed ahead … “we don’t need no stinking brakes, or a rear view mirror.” From then on, for that week’s stay during Christmas — a very special Christmas — the two became inseparable and the item of entertainment for hotel residents, who appeared to Martin and Florentia as extras in their romantic flick. It felt as if everybody was part of their chemical concoction only … there to play supporting roles in their epic adventure. First, the two loitered and lounged in the hotel lobby with her Cypriot friends and Martin’s brother Ralph. They would all share and joke about their cultures and ways of living, leading to the Cypriots asking silly questions about America like, “Do you know Burt Renolds?” Martin couldn’t pass this opportunity to be ridiculous and said, “Sure he lives next door; yesterday he came over for coffee. Did you know he picks his nose — and eats it too?” Florentia called him out on it before he was even finished. Uh oh, Martin met his match, and so it was … From then on they were together every minute — alone on long storybook romantic walks on worn cobblestone roads, weaving through the quaint little Cypriot mountain village. Intense dialog, followed by enthusiastic questioning, each so enamored and fascinated with each other. As they turned around to start walking back, she faced him, then opened her hand next to his hand and gazed into his eyes, and Martin broke the stare that could have led to a kiss, but knew by living in the Middle East earlier that there could be serious consequences. Martin then grabbed her hand, almost abruptly, then they started walking back out of the village and up to the castle-like hotel. Throughout the whole week, everyday, as soon as they could get to each “Marty.” Martin didn’t mind being second, he preferred it … he liked seeing Florentia raised up high. Wherever you saw them, they were always in constant joyful conversation, even while walking. They just could not stop — don’t believe they even considered that possibility. Their presence together was like a treasured mascot pair of the hotel, sort of a Mickey and Minnie Mouse kind of thing. They would often be talking so much they would forget mealtimes with their families. The families only saw this as sweet and humorous. On the last day, they met early at the bottom of the large, old staircase that descends to the small enclave lobby, where they sat for the last time to say their goodbyes and cast their ships to sea. They felt as though these were the end of days. As they embraced, pulled away, and quickly embraced again, he noticed a change in her … a calm contentment grew upon her face as she seemed consoled. As she ascended the staircase, he watched his past future disappear into obscurity. Martin was shaken and stirred. For once, Martin didn’t know what to think … unfortunately, that was going to change. A distinguished Cypriot elder solemnly approached Martin, descending from the same staircase where Florentia had just ascended. Then this man, with warmth in his eyes, introduced himself to Martin as Florentia’s father Bahadir, and said “Martin, it is nice to speak with you.” “Yes, thank you … it is my honor,” replied Martin. They sat and Bahadir started with, “Martin, I must have a talk with you, there is something I must share with you.” Martin responded in a soft, reserved tone, “Yes, sir.” Her father said, “Florentia is a very strong, special girl.” Martin immediately responded, “Yes, sir.” “Florentia has a very serious illness,” her father drudged on, now having difficulty continuing. Martin’s face flushed with inquisitive pain. Moving on, Florentia’s father said, “She has enjoyed her time with you like no other in her life. She has been sick her whole life but is special like you and has touched so many and now you have touched her.” Martin was stunned, speechless again, for only the third time in his life, all related to her. Bahadir’s eyes welled with tears and said “Today is it … doctors say she will not make it through the GROUNDCOVER NEWS Love by Love: "Love is Stronger than Death" 11 A column on compassion day, but you gave her all she wanted before her final ascension — a romance.” What was Martin to say, but again, nothing, then eyes opening wide he demanded to be at her bed. The father said, “She doesn’t want you to see her all hooked up in bed, she wants you to remember her the way you were together.” Martin embraced the father and they held tight as the father clenched a handful of Martin’s shirt at his shoulders. They held the tight embrace as if long-known, close relatives at a passing. After their release, nothing was said, just a mournful glance and a knowing gaze as the father started back up that staircase. Floored, Martin could only watch Florentia’s father ascend to his daughter’s final words, and he was sure whatever beautiful wise words from beyond her limited years would comfort her father along with a warm passing smile. That was the beautiful light Florentia shone on this world. After, Martin started to realize he was in another world and snapped out quickly enough to load luggage in the car. Immediately after coaxing himself into back of the Suburban, he realized he never gave Florentia her last kiss and began to cry for the inadequacy he left. Nobody knew anything and they were not worthy of her essence. At first he mourned her loss — a great love that was never sealed with a kiss. Now, he values the purity of that Love and lesson. A Greatest Love without a kiss is but a memory of a Love to live in infamy. Can there have been a more pure and innocent Love? — at that time, no. The future was only for dreaming. Isn’t it beautiful when you see or hear of such a Love, then untainted? Why didn’t they kiss? Maybe they were already at their greatest bliss … what would maybe change if the spell would have been broken with a kiss, Martin thought. People ask, “What’s Love without sex?” ... Martin would then say — The most purely amazing experience and the opportunity to see Love and life in a new light. This is a story that should never be lost. "Love lost is like a window in your heart, Everybody sees you’re blown apart Everybody sees the wind blow" [By: Paul Simon] Author’s note: This is a true story. Martin was Markona’s given name at that time, but was called “Marty” by friends and relatives. Please send comments, feedback and topic ideas to the writer at konagod.love5@gmail.com
12 Publizr Home