The champagne industry took a big hit today…last night my 97
year old Aunt Phryne, the Queen, as she was known in my family, took her last
breath. She was one of 6 sisters and 2
brothers, the second to last to join the rest of her siblings in heaven,
leaving only my Yia-Yia from the 8 of them to bless the world with Gianakos
spunk and sass. I wish I could say that I had been able to spend as much time
with her as other family members have.
But the time I did spend with her, she taught me a few things for which
I am grateful…
She taught me the definition of strength and independence,
outliving both her husband and two sons, and never giving up her vivacity for
life, her feistiness or her apartment on the 28th floor in downtown
Manhattan. She had a joie de vivre that enchanted people and left anyone who
met her immediately feeling like family.
She taught me that good Greek genes (ones I am thankful I
have) and resilience go a long way in leading a full life, smoking and drinking
a good scotch (or champagne) all the days of her life and still making it to
97. She also taught me that age is no barrier to attracting good-looking men.
She was a flirt until the very end, and had a way of leaving all those present
(both male and female) in the room enchanted with her presence, beauty and
grace at any restaurant or party. She was truly a queen.
But most of all, she taught me (and my family) the value of
champagne. One could never walk into her house (or anyone’s house in my family
really) without finding a bottle of champagne chilled in the fridge ready to be
popped and enjoyed. Any day, Monday
through Sunday, was the perfect day to celebrate life and love between family
and friends. You didn’t have to wait for
special occasions to celebrate. Each day was a gift that should be embraced and
celebrated to its fullest, especially when loved ones were present. Aunt Phryne
lived an abundant life indeed, even when in our Greek family abundance includes
an abundance of stubborn and opinionated people who are not afraid to tell you
what they think and are not afraid to fight. But even in an abundance of loud
voices and the frequent arguments, they rarely ended without a kiss or a hug.
I am grateful I got the family I got. I am grateful for Aunt
Phryne and the example that she leaves for all Gianakos women. I am grateful
that there must be a HUGE party in heaven tonight and that she is toasting,
among others, my beloved Uncle Craig who so beautifully embodied the same joie
de vivre as his mother. One day (many
years from now) I hope to join that abundant party in the sky (and it will be
one KICK ASS party) but until now I will toast her life and her memory here on
earth and I will remember that you should never take for granted a chance to
love, a chance to laugh or a chance to lift your glass and give thanks for all
the abundance in your life. Cheers
Phryne… We will miss you so…
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