Four generations of the Gambrellis family, reunited on Sunday, 5 March in an atmosphere warmed both by the sun and feelings of love.
The cause for such reunion, was one of the most fundamental core values in human life. Family.
“The vibe was something else… you’d see nothing, but hugs, kisses, smiles and bright faces filled with pure joy,” said Mrs Vicky to Neos Kosmos.
Born in Kos, Mrs Vicky Kafkakis, is a second-generation child who, like many children of Greek immigrants that fled to Australia during the 1950s, was torn between two worlds.
However, that seemed to have reinforced her desire to keep in touch with anything that connected her to her family roots.
Along with her sister Eleftheria and cousin Maria, a decision was made to call “a family meeting”, hoping that all the young and old members of the Gambrellis family, would reconnect.
What followed was something truly overwhelming.
A place full of brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, children, and infants from not one, two or three but… four generations!
The age of the attendees ranged from 17 months old to… 85 years old, with the great-grandchildren of Mrs Eleftheria belonging to the fourth living generation of the family tree.
“About 60 people came, however, not everyone that was invited could be there. If they did, we estimated that approximately 70 to 100 people would be present in this family gathering,” added Mrs Vicky.
The Greeks of Diaspora are known for their strong family bonds, since being away from their country seems to create a profound need to keep in touch with everything that connects them to their identity.
“I was curious to see how many of us are actually here,” she explains.
“Many hadn’t met in years. It was deeply moving.”
The sunny day was in perfect harmony with the warmth flowed from the hearts of all family members.
“The joy, love and solidarity that we experienced… was something I had never seen before,” she commented.
Mrs Eleftheria and her husband Themistocles Kyriazis, hosted this family reunion in their farm where the “open space” together with the warm sunny day, created a perfect environment in which “you could see the little ones playing”, while adults shared emotional moments with tears in their eyes.
“Everything was beautiful…everyone’s hands were full of traditional food and drinks while the place vibrated with fun and laughter.”
Mrs Vicky also tells us that she makes sure to keep in touch with most of them, as she describes herself as being “a favourite cousin” to many.
Vicky’s father, Anargyros, was one of the eight children of her grandfather Christos Gambrellis and her grandmother Angeliki. Her voice radiated feelings of love, as she referred to them as “beautiful people”.
In 1956, Vicky’s aunt, Sevasti, was the first that set foot in Australia, in search of a better life.
Elfetheria, Vicky’s older sister, followed in her aunt’s footsteps along with their father Anargyros and mother Anna.
“Since the family wanted us to migrate, there was nothing left for me but to follow,” added Mrs Vicky.
Judging from her actions and words, family is something that holds a special place in Vicky’s heart.
“What I want is for us to live and enjoy the rest of our lives with a lot of positivity, love, trust and lots of joy.”
