I’d like to think that my babushka balled her calloused fingers into a fist and punched the priest right between the eyes when he leaned in and whispered that she’d have to pay him if he was to sign the papers authorizing her passage to Canada.
Enjoyed the images so much, especially the bone marrow - finally , at the end as coda to your love and admiration for your strong boned, courageous Babushka. (The catfish whiskers in the soup ? What is the word for an image that constantly replays … ). Thank you..
This is a wonderful, funny, moving, and inspiring story. A fitting tribute to that band of grandmother heroes that created the foundation for our lives today. Thank you!
What a stunning piece of writing Anna. I can relate to so much of your story. My mother also traveled alone by boat, from one side of a war-torn world, to another, very different one. A small trunk, no language, little education and few skills, she built a life and sacrificed so much for my siblings and I. Such brave women. And the bone marrow is absolutely the best! 😂
Another unsung hero, until you wrote this piece! It's as we remember those who were so precious to us as little ones that we realize how blessed we have been to grow up when we did, where we did. Now our turn to fight for that way of life has come again. My grandparents came from "the old country" with their old country ways and paved the way for my father and I to flourish in our time in this land of milk and honey. They endured privations I can only imagine leading to the wrenching decision to leave their homeland, their village, their friends and family in search of safety, freedom, peace in America. God bless your babushka who did the same for you.
Anna, you deserve that award and so many more. As does your grandmother. Oh how I loved this beautiful evocative honest piece of writing! Plum trees and pillowcases. And such love.
Enjoyed the images so much, especially the bone marrow - finally , at the end as coda to your love and admiration for your strong boned, courageous Babushka. (The catfish whiskers in the soup ? What is the word for an image that constantly replays … ). Thank you..
This is a wonderful, funny, moving, and inspiring story. A fitting tribute to that band of grandmother heroes that created the foundation for our lives today. Thank you!
Pretty fantastic. Thank you.
A wonderful story that engaged all my senses! I would love to see it turned into an illustrated short story.
Loved this story!
What a stunning piece of writing Anna. I can relate to so much of your story. My mother also traveled alone by boat, from one side of a war-torn world, to another, very different one. A small trunk, no language, little education and few skills, she built a life and sacrificed so much for my siblings and I. Such brave women. And the bone marrow is absolutely the best! 😂
Thanks Silvana -
These are memories so worth keeping and you’ve preserved them beautifully.
What a re-telling. How delicious.
Sucking the bone marrow out of life. Wowza.
Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing these vivid and touching memories. She sounds like an amazing woman. I would have liked to know her.
Another unsung hero, until you wrote this piece! It's as we remember those who were so precious to us as little ones that we realize how blessed we have been to grow up when we did, where we did. Now our turn to fight for that way of life has come again. My grandparents came from "the old country" with their old country ways and paved the way for my father and I to flourish in our time in this land of milk and honey. They endured privations I can only imagine leading to the wrenching decision to leave their homeland, their village, their friends and family in search of safety, freedom, peace in America. God bless your babushka who did the same for you.
thankyou!
Memoir writing at its finest. A delight to read again.
OMG. I can't believe they left the marrow! I can taste it.
the best! thankyou
The best of humans! Thank you so much for sharing so generosity.
You were so lucky to have such a grandmother. Your story speaks of intergenerational love and generosity and strength. What a proud legacy!
Anna, you deserve that award and so many more. As does your grandmother. Oh how I loved this beautiful evocative honest piece of writing! Plum trees and pillowcases. And such love.