Мама

Мама - первое слово, Главное слово в каждой судьбе. Мама жизнь подарила, Мир подарила мне и тебе.

From Soviet 1976 “Mama” (Rock’n’Roll Wolf) musical

Dear Mom

Quite often I address you this way in my Instagram posts, quote you in my blog or conversations with people… This time, I got an assignment to write about the person who influenced me the most – so let’s make it official.

I think I’ve told you that story: once at the job interview I was asked about my role model.

Without hesitation, I told them about you. Little did I know soon my job interview will turn into a tearful soap opera, leaving all attendees with their eyes wet.

I cried in front of the Manager and the Recruiter of Amadeus travel company, both females, who had to wait 20 minutes longer for me since I overslept, ran late to meet them, and felt super stressed and definitely “nichts gut” with my German – which was the ultimate criterium for the job I was applying for.

Nevertheless, I got offered a job. I like to think that it was because of you, Mom.

I turned down that offer, though it was good, in favor of a completely different opportunity which granted me a pivotal moment in my career – moving from accounting to marketing, which eventually brought me to the place where I am now.

A writer wannabe working in one of the best PR agencies in Central Europe.

“Я горжусь тобой”.

Everything I’ve learnt, I’ve learn from you since day 1. Perhaps, I had no other option – growing up in a one room apartment where two of us spent most of our time together. You raised me – and I grew up looking at you.

Hard-working, beautiful lady, who would sing as gorgeously as she would dress, and cook delicious food even with 10 rubles weekly budget.

While you were busy doing chores, I’d be left by myself - with books, cartoons, toys and my imagination. You always mentioned how great it was for you – to have a self-sufficient child, who could just get carried away for hours into her imaginary world, being so quiet, you’d forget I was home!

And you would always feed my imagination.

By taking me on trips. First, in Belarus – I don’t know how old I were when we went to lake Naroch, where a walk in the forest seemed as exciting as a journey through the Middle Earth. I grew older, but you’d still send me on my way – the first “abroad” travel I did at the age of 9, going with a children summer camp in Bulgaria. Since then, every summer I’d travel into a new country, with or without you. You showed me the world.

At this point, I stopped counting how many countries and cities I’ve visited. Thanks to you, I’ve learnt how enormous, versatile, curious and beautiful the world early on. My first travel buddy.

Now we travel on our own. With or without people we love. You’ve shown me there is more –

and not settling for less was yet another lesson you’ve taught me.

“The winner takes it all” is is your favorite scene from “Mamma Mia” movie.

Mamma Mia. Мама Моя

You gave birth to me at the age of 39. A year later you divorced my father. A year later you fought breath cancer – and, ironically, Cancer is my Zodiac sign. And you won. The winner takes it all.

“Ты мой поздний ребенок”

Your little sunshine is now fighting in a war against hate and fear, using the same gift you fought cancer to stay alive.

The gift of love. Unconditional love. Love for life.

You know mom, I could only wish I had as much strength and courage to live through things you’ve been through. But this is where my eyes get watery again in the story, so let’s cut it short.

If I ever become a mother myself… I will tell my children about you.

As a person who gave the gift of life to me.

I think this is the ultimate influence one can have on someone’s life.