@khrystyana

My Dear Babusya, Another Mother’s Day without you Although the first time I’m feeling at ease you’re not here to witness the horrors that was brought upon your home, again. My dearest, I met many women, your age too.. leaving, in fear, grieving. Surviving this pain resiliently through what you had survived when you were a little girl. More than ever I now understand your strength, your will for freedom, continuous independence. You were always my role model, style icon and questioner of norms. I’ve always been proud of our strong female bloodline, our Sumy town-boss-babe-Show-stoppers. Your mother, hid wounded soldiers in the basement while you sang “blue handkerchief” to create noise to distract the Nazi who ate at your house day after day, so brave. You traveled the world, being a leader for many - pregnant you worked till your last day of pregnancy with my beautiful mother, out of all places in Kazakhstan. And brought her back to Sumy where she needed to grow up, I love this second picture of you two celebrating the May1, Labor Day. My mom hated this outfit because it was too unique from her mates. Granny, you looked good and you engraved good style into my mom - until this day she dresses like no other. I wish I got that from you both . She ,like you, traveled the world and gave birth to me in the farthest corner of the earth. Very North East of Siberia to bring me back to our Sumy and Okhtyrka where you made me the person I am, you taught me to speak English, bicycles, fishing, milking goats, residing poetry publicly , gardening, massaging, talking to animals and flowers, and not taking any shit from men (you were a Queen!).. god so much more you gave. Your daughter, granny,she is incredible,. You’d be really proud, this woman brought me to America. Do you remember us dreaming of America? She did it, granny. Yet, She has been the defender of truth, activist like you have always been and she brought much change over the course of her life for your town and country. You’d be very proud We love you Send us your strength to survive this difficult time Your grand daughter 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙#happymothersday #sumy