One day in 1976, when he was in his mid-sixties, he experienced shortness of breath. He went for a medical checkup and results showed that Moraitis had lung cancer. He got a second, third … up to a ninth medical opinion and all doctors confirmed he had lung cancer. He was given 9 months to live.
Instead of staying in the US where there’s good medical facilities, Moraitis decided to go back to his hometown in Greece called Ikaria so he could be buried with his ancestors. Besides, he thought that burial costs in the US cost so much versus an Ikarian traditional burial which would roughly cost only USD200.
Here’s a photo of the island of Ikaria in Greece.
Photo source: greeceholidays.biz
When Moraitis moved back to Ikaria, he started attending mass on Sundays in a small chapel on a hill. His childhood friends, upon learning of his return, also started visiting him and they would talk for hours while sipping wine.
After a few months, he felt stronger and he decided to plant vegetables in their garden even if he wasn’t sure if he will still be alive to harvest what he planted. He just enjoyed the island sunshine and life by the Aegean Sea.
Months after, he didn’t die and was able to harvest his vegetables. He then decided to tend their family vineyard as well. His island routine was – “he woke up when he felt like it, worked in the vineyards until midafternoon, made himself lunch and then took a long nap. In the evenings, he often walked to the local tavern, where he played dominoes past midnight.” (Quoted from nytimes.com)
Today, 3 and a half decades later, Moraitis is already 97 years old and is still alive! He has lived way past what the doctors told him he would live. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has outlived some of the doctors who confirmed his cancer diagnosis more than 30 years ago.
Here’s a photo of a smiling Moraitis in his vineyard that now produces 400 gallons of wine annually!
What a beautiful story!
Analyzing his lifestyle, I think these are Moraitis’ secrets to a long life:
1. Sleep and nap to your heart’s delight
2. Get physically active
3. Pray
4. Spend time with people who make you happy
5. Have fun!
To read the complete article, please visit http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?_r=1&
