The Kindest Welcome

Some places never forget how to welcome you.

Blue entrance gate to a traditional orchard in Symi, Greece, at golden hour.

There was no road here once.

Only a hillside, a narrow footpath, and a small orchard where no one ever left empty-handed.

The years changed the landscape.

A road now crosses the hillside.

The children grew older.

Many of the familiar faces quietly disappeared.

Yet some things refused to leave.

Ripe fig hanging from a tree in warm evening light on the island of Symi, Greece.

I arrived in Symi late in the afternoon.

The fig branches were leaning over the fence, heavy with fruit.

I couldn't resist.

I picked two figs.

A little farther, I met Mr. Giannis.

I greeted him.

"I stole two figs from your tree," I said.

He smiled.

"Wait."

A moment later, he returned with a whole handful.

Hand holding freshly picked ripe figs overlooking the harbor of Symi, Greece.

Sometimes, what survives the passing of time is not a place.

It is the kindness that continues to live within it.

Some places still measure wealth by what they give away.