In 2024, after a few years, Mateja decided to go to the seaside again with her friends Natasha, Andrea, Ingrid, Brigita, Simona and Darja, with the addition of several days of dance workshops. Women sign up for this adventure at the beginning of the year. They book an apartment and pay a deposit for the workshops. As the year progresses and from April onwards, Matej's health starts to suffer. In August, she has sciatica so severe that she is completely bedridden for three weeks. Without a regular job and currently unable to do any work, she is thinking about what to do. The pain was unbearable and the psychological strain increased day by day. At the end of August, she slowly starts to exercise and gradually walks around the house. September is here and she does not know how she will go to Vis. Her friends have always been supportive and she has decided to go anyway, whatever happens. She told them: "If it hurts so much, I will just sit on the beach and enjoy the sounds of the sea. Even if it's just in a chair. I'm going to Vis." She decided to give herself over to the moments, fully awake, and enjoy each one as if it were her last, because she had slept through the whole month of August.
So 18 September, the day of departure, arrived and they set off. The pain was no longer severe and everything was going fine. During the journey, they stopped several times and walked around to give their backs some relief. Already in Split they were greeted by warm sunny weather and the same was true on the island of Vis. Surprisingly warm for this time of year. The sea temperature was above average and the days were really hot. The next day they go to a dance workshop and before the start they queue up by appointment to pay the full amount of the workshops. Mateja prepares the money and when she gets to the workshop leader, he says to her, "Mateja, it's already paid." She replies, "How is it settled? I haven't paid the full amount yet." "Yes, it is recorded here. Welcome," she adds. She is in complete shock, looks at her friends and they just smile at her. She collapsed wordlessly on the floor, unable to comprehend what had happened. The shock was great because none of them had given her any hint before and she went to the counter thinking she had to sort out what she had to sort out. Of course, she hugged each one of them individually and thanked them, but what she felt at that moment was indescribable. She felt utter gratitude for the wonderful people around her and for the unconditional love and compassion that had been shown to her.
They danced actively all day without any restraint or pain, from the first to the last day they swam in the sea, which was surprisingly very warm for autumn, and enjoyed the sunny days immensely. Natasha, a shiatsu massage master who had also initiated the previous action, offered to massage Mateja. The massage took place on the beach, in the sun, with the sounds of the sea. It was a wonderful experience and the condition of her back after the massage was much better than before.
She experienced a holiday that almost wouldn't have been, as one of complete enjoyment. Since then, Mateja has become even more aware of the wonderful people around her. She believes that selfless acts and moral values are always paramount. This action has given her further confirmation of the importance of prioritising our values. It has also given them the awareness that when one firmly decides to do something, circumstances and the course of events work for the good of all concerned.
Thank you girls, I love you.
Mateja Val Batič, 14 Feb 2025
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