Spirituality or physics, the point is energy – including that of our loved ones’ presence – is never lost.
It’s just converted or manifested in different forms.
The vine of Ariana Baduna’s late grandmother in Bundoora, Melbourne is the latest evidence I’ve come across.
Expanding from its original pot strategically placed about 50 years ago at the edge of a living room entrance, the climbing plant randomly grows through Kyriaki Amanatidi’s home long after she passed.
“They are beautiful and I miss my grandmother dearly,” Ariana captioned it.
Yiayia Kyriaki, of Pontian heritage, migrated from Kastoria to Melbourne in 1960.
“She came with my mum who was one year old then and my grandfather. It took them six months to come with the boat and three years for their papers to get sorted. It was sad because they had to leave a child behind, but eventually they went back to get him. They worked in factories and she stayed in Melbourne for the remainder of her life,” Ariana says and shares some fond memories with Neos Kosmos.
“She was such a beautiful, loving person. She taught me kindness and patience. She was a great storyteller, she would look after us and talk to us about Pontos, our culture and teach us Pontiaka through little rimes.”
She passed away 12 years ago, but the Bundoora home is still inhabited by some of her favourite people and plants, her granddaughter explains.
“My mum lives there now, with my brother and grandpa. And my grandma’s garden is still there, she has succulents that are over 100 years old, they’re massive. I think she brought some of them from Greece and others from Richmond to Bundoora.”
The vine has been with the family in the Bundoora home since they settled there.
“It creeps up all the way through the living room, back into the veranda and outdoor balcony, the window of the kitchen.. it’s like a living vine.”
While most likely not brought into the country, yiayia Kyriaki’s beloved plant has some inherent Greek ‘vibes’.
“I’m not sure of the story behind the vine, but I know she smuggled the soil for it especially from her village Inoi, Kastoria.”
“When she’d go to Greece for a holiday she would bring some for her plants and flowers, she’d put it in the garden and showing us kids ‘look this is from the horio‘.
“Looking back I think this was her way of saying she really missed home…”
In loving memory of Kyriaki Amanatidis
What’s in a pic: Do you have a story to tell and a photo to share? Reach out to zoe@neoskosmos.com.au
