Yes, we’re back. Not that we were ever really gone. I’ve been actively moderating comments as well as doing research for a different series of posts. More about that later.
Lot’s of things have changed since my (our) last posts. On a sad note, Alla lost her Mom recently. She’d been ill for quite some time. She’s with the Lord now. May she rest in Peace. Fortunately, Alla was able to visit with her in Siberia this past summer.
But several joyous things have occurred too. First, Alla’s son who lives in Ukraine, has married a delightful, beautiful young woman from a nearby town. They now have 2 sons.
And Alla’s daughter who lives in North Carolina has brought 3 beautiful girls into the world. She now has 6 children, the 3 girls plus 3 boys.
And Alla’s eldest daughter who lives here in California has 2 children, a boy and a girl.
So if you’re math challenged or confused, here’s the score - - when Alla and I married, she brought 5 grandchildren into my life. That number has doubled to 10 grandchildren.
This is huge. It has a major impact on our life together. Why and how? Well, here’s a lesson for any man seeking to marry a Russian woman. When you accept a Russian woman, you, by default, accept her children, grandchildren and other family members. You help them, you are genuinely concerned for their welfare, and you support your wife as she performs her role and duties of a Russian woman.
All this stuff you hear about Russian women being very family oriented - - it’s totally true. If you marry one of these women, you better get
on board with this reality and be prepared to adapt, not just willingly, but enthusiastically to all of the implications of her cultural and womanly drive to care for her family.
Take note of my use of the word “cultural”. Because culture for any society is a driving force of behavior. And lest you err, as many Americans do because of our education, Russia didn’t just come into being with the 1917 communist revolution. Russia has been here for ages and has cultural traditions, attitudes and beliefs that are literally, thousands of years old.
One of those traditions centers on the role of the grandmother (babushka in Russian) in the family. Sure in America we revere our grandmothers. But not like in Russia where Babushka plays a major role in child rearing. The role may be direct as in daily care and nurturing; or it may be indirect through passing on culture and traditions.
For Alla and I, her role is direct. Her daughter in North Carolina with 6 little ones, a job, and a full load of university medical courses needs
direct help. And Alla gives it to her like the strong Russian babushka that she is. Let me tell you, these are the luckiest 6 kids on the planet. To have someone with the gentle, wise nature of Alla to nurture them and pass on to them through story, song, and play the deep cultural ideals of an ancient land is truly a gift.
Sure I miss being with her and look forward to when finances allow us to be together. But for now, it’s my mission to be supportive and to
understand that for her, being Babushka is a life purpose fulfillment imperative.
I hope this post has been informative for you. Check back for more stuff soon.
Gary.
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