My life in America today
Probably, I seem pessimistic when I say that the most interesting thing in my life was the past. And my readers have this. Here's what they write: "I really liked your
memories, but I'll let myself disagree with you. You said that the best thing in your life is behind you; it seems to me that this is not so. All the best for you (and us all) is ahead."
"I understand your longing for" that "life, when there was a lot of strength and desire to work, but you cannot dismiss the advantages that are here."
And I got to thinking: "What advantages did my family and I get by moving to South Carolina?"
First and foremost, my children and grandchildren not only received the right to education here, but also benefited from it because of their opportunities.
Sasha graduated from university, got a prestigious position and successfully works. He married at the age of 17—he would not have been able to find a career in Ukraine,
because it would have to be there to support the family. And there was no discussion of a separate apartment; the young people would live either with us or with their mother-in-law!
And they now have a big house, and can pay to upkeep it.
Vlad also studied a little in college. His work satisfies him. He also lives in his house and pays for it. His son Eugene studies hard at the university and works. He is less and less dependent on his father.
Two more grandsons are growing up—Kevin and Daniel. Kevin went to an independent life, finding a prestigious university. Danya is studying in a prestigious school, reading in both Russian and English.
The children of Sasha and Marina are excellent musicians; both earned high scores in their studies. I hope that their fate in America will be wonderful.
And what "luxurious" life in Ukraine did an engineer and retired teacher expect?
We understood that life would be poor and heavy. As I remember, the hospitals in which I had to lie, things became so terrible! Of course, the level of healthcare cannot be compared! And how many of our relatives the American doctors could be said to have been revived and brought back to life. Of course, I take all this into account and refer to the advantages of America (although medicine was very
expensive, the state sometimes helps poor people with paying).
We also found a place in life here. Of course, if we had had better English when we’d arrived, things could have been better. But…I talked about how I worked
at Columbia schools for 10 years. Cindy , an American Baptist who helped me to believe in her strength, was always ready to help. She not only took the sick people to the doctors, but she also gave me the opportunity to orient myself in a difficult American life. Cindy believed in me, signed my resume and vouched for me,although she had no idea what kind of teacher I really was!
She went with me to the district for an interview, and then came to school for Russian lessons and studied with the students! Thank you so much, Cindy! And of great importance was my high salary, thanks to which we were able to buy and pay off our own, although small, by
some measures, house (only 6 rooms)! We bought and paid for two cars and so on.
I had to go to advanced training courses, and I successfully completed them. I learned how to work on a computer, learning a new skill. I even wrote a couple books [editor’s note: wink!]! And now I continue to study everything that is
interesting on the Internet.
Of course, all this was not easy!
Returning to the beginning of my story, I want to say that living in America has given our family has more benefits than disadvantages.
But the memories of a lived life still excite me. Recently I watched a documentarary about the daughter of Stalin, Svetlana Alliluyeva. She hated socialist Russia and
went to seek happiness in another country. She said that she does not cry in front of the sight of white birches.
And for me, "the smoke of the Fatherland is so sweet and
pleasant"! I was crying at the sight of the birches! I was lucky that during my years in South Carolina, I was sent twice (at the expense of the state, even paid business trips!) to Russia. And on the Red Square, which I adore, I choked on tears.
What was it? Patriotism? Memories of the past? Once in a distant youth, my friends and I watched a movie called "Memories of the Future". Let's hope that a fine future awaits
if not my generation, then the youth from our big family!
A wise man once said: “The past cannot be returned, the future is ahead, and the present is in our hands! Live in the present and rejoice at every moment!"