Another day like no other

It is my 32nd birthday today and I finally celebrate  back in my home city with my family and good friends. My previous two birthdays were celebrated in London, the other three before in Cambridge, then in Crete, then in Thessaloniki. I haven't been in Athens since I was almost 18! 

So I seem to have achieved my aims, the ones I set last year at my birthday and put into action a few months ago when I decided to move, leaving everything behind. "I would like to go back to Greece and find a job, to be there close to my family, to feel happy at a personal and emotional level" was my last year's wish.

One year later, I have left UK and live near my loved ones just like I wished. I have managed to make a career change from academia to industry and found a job in consulting. I see my baby nephews grow older every day. I have lunch with my parents over a nice glass of wine. I go at my best friend's wedding dress rehearsals. I study for a another degree. I go hiking in the mountains. I am having driving lessons.  Today loads of my friends from all over the world sent me warm wishes, each one of them special, funny and sincere words of welfare. My mother's face was shining when I woke up in the morning and  stepped into the kitchen for coffee. My dad last night stayed up until it was 0:01 to be the first one to wish me happy birthday. All those little things that spice up your life, that make you feel it is worth living. I am almost happy and will keep looking for more happiness. You see, I am only missing one thing that I did't manage to find since last year. And that is true love.