Thank you to a Facebook friend

Yusuf Salih

By Ismail Veli……

Facebook is a recent phenomenon in our lives. Some hate it, others love it. Used positively it has many advantages. A few months ago Yusuf Salih, a facebook friend of about 3 years wrote and asked if I would be visiting Cyprus in the near future as he had a ”few old cards and stamps” he wanted to give me ”as a gift”.  Having followed my activities over this period he felt certain I would appreciate his gift. Initially I asked if it was possible to post them as I was not certain if or when I would be travelling to Cyprus. He was reluctant to post them as they may get lost in the post.  It turned out a dear friend of mine just moved back to Cyprus and was arranging his wedding. No doubt I wished to be present on such a special day. My dilemma was that 2 weeks was too short to physically see all the wonderful friends I had made in the last few years. Sadly as much as I enjoyed my two weeks I was so exhausted that I was only too pleased to return back to the UK for a rest.

Getting back to Yusuf Salih, my friends Chris and Margaret of Cyprusscene. com offered to drive me to meet up with him at the village of Arnadi/Kuzucuk, near Salamis.  After a wonderful herbal cup of tea and a most interesting conversation of various historical and cultural issues which Yusuf seems to excel in, he went to his cupboard and pulled  the cards he had promised me. Not having my glasses on I somehow missed the fact that the envelopes were first day editions, Yusuf asked me to look carefully, to my astonishment I noticed  many were dated from the 1960’s to the mid 1970’s. They were in immaculate condition and I had to admit that being possessive of my own books and old photos I would never even consider parting with them.  Here was a friend I had never met in person giving me what I consider to be of immense sentimental value simply because he enjoys reading my blogs and activities on facebook.  Life is not always about money. There are many people in this world who are prepared to share the few prized collections they have in the sound knowledge that they will be appreciated.

Yusuf my friend I would publicly like to thank you for such a wonderful gesture. I feel so honoured that you chose me as the recipient of such a valuable collection of Cypriot first day editions plus the postcards.  I’m sure you will agree with me that sharing these wonderful gifts via the internet and facebook with my other friends will give others equal pleasure in what are essentially priceless gifts saved over a 50 year period. Now they have been scanned and shared in this article, there is only one place for them, that is together with my hundreds of postcard collections of the past which I have amassed during my lifetime.

They have, and will continue to give me great pleasure when in need of an escape from the toil and grind of modern life.

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