Today we went to see the kids. I (Lauren) hadn’t seen them in four days, which felt like an eternity. (We live this very bizarre existence here where we get to see our children a couple of hours a day, now every other day, and it’s just not fair.) I’m certainly on the mend after a bout with a bad cold, and mercifully today the sun was out and it was “warm” (I actually stripped down to 2 pairs of socks in the car!)
We went first to Veshevistche to see Nastia. For some reason she was waiting by the front door probably looking for us. I missed her so much and when she saw me, she ran outside and threw herself into my arms, and that made all the missing okay. Later I realized she was also carrying around the letter I had Michael deliver her the other day and that also was very touching. We had nice long hug and then we ushered her inside.
It was more of the same: cards and more cards. Concentration, rummy. We taught Nastia about runs in rummy, (up until now we’ve been working on 3 and 4 of a kind) and she picked it up quickly, as she does everything. She’s really fun to play with. We reviewed our ABC’s, wrote a few words in English (Miami, America!!!!). After our lesson she wanted Daddy to pick her up and throw her around a little. She then regaled us, using Michael as the apparatus, with a series of gymnastic feats (bird’s nest, parallel bars hold – we were waiting for the triple gainer!) She loves horsing around with Daddy, climbing on his back and pretty much using him as her horse/balance beam/all-around shlepper.
As we were getting ready to leave, Tatiana, the director of the orphanage stuck her head in to wish us a happy New Year. With her was our new friend, her husband Kolya. And again he extended the invitation to come to their home for some New Year’s cheer. We accepted, we really like them both, they’re great people. And Nastia was allowed to come too! This was very special for us. As silly as it may sound, and Michael was the one to point it out, this was our first meal with our daughter. There are so many firsts for us, and every one for us significant.
Our driver Vanya drove us the two minute drive to Tatiana and Kolya’s house. It’s on the main road of Veshevitsche, as all the houses of the town seem to be. Theirs is particularly cheerful, the house is white trimmed in periwinkle blue flowers (almost an Amish motif that abounds here) and the fence is blue and green, with the same flowers. They ushered us inside to their dining room/kitchen. Also cheerful, with a festive little “New Year’s tree,” lights blinking, next to the table. Everyone here seems to have these booths, where you sort if squeeze in everyone who’s there. We were six, including Vanya, and that worked just fine.
Before we knew it, the table was filled, but jam-packed with dishes of homemade food. (Every time they put something on the table, they would tell us it was “domashne” and then Vanya would reiterate – I think we got it.) There was pork which Michael had eaten previously and was already craving, sausage, tongue, several different kinds of “sallow,” or Ukrainian lard which Tatiana explained was the “Ukrainian narcotic” (apparently it’s very popular). There was roast chicken, and chicken in salad and chicken in some kind of jell and little meatball-like things. And lucky for me, fish dishes were in abundance too. A delicious fried fish patty, fish and cheese casserole, fish in tomato sauce, smoked white fish – and all of it delicious! Of course you had your vegetable salads and your boiled potatoes and your bread and horseradish and hot mustard …
And we are in Ukraine after all, so there was also vodka. Also homemade! Kolya and Michael shared that carafe. Tatiana showed us the large 5 liter bottles they store it in. Michael asked if it was illegal to make liquor and they laughed. Probably everyone does around here. Tatiana and I had a little cognac (by the time we left, my little glass was almost overflowing – every time you make a toast they have to fill it, even a drop, and I’m just no match for these toast-happy Ukrainians).
Nastia was such a love. She was very happy to be with us and this spread of food, while they certainly eat well at the orphanage, was a rare treat for her. She was very patient with all the adult talk and I think was just happy to have the extra time with me and Michael (and the extra pieces of candy Tatiana foisted on her).
It’s funny because Tatiana and Kolya seem older than us, like a different generation and on some levels they are. They’ve been working this land together for 30 years, and there they are, showing us pictures of their 12 year old granddaughter. But the truth is, Tatiana is a year younger than me! And Kolya is probably not much older than Michael. And as we pulled away, Michael and I agreed that if we lived in Veshevitsche, we’d be hanging with them. Really good people, caring, good natured. Great sense of humor. Language just isn’t a barrier and for the hour and half that they hosted us, the four of us didn’t stop talking.
On the way out Kolya wanted to show Michael his still, where he “fabricates” his vodka. Then he continued on the grand tour through the rest of the barn where they keep chickens and past that into the yard where there are more chickens and a big old cow. Michael told him it is a beautiful farm, and Tatiana nodded and said something to the effect of “you try working it every day …”
I’m sure it is a lot of work but it is a beautiful homestead. Tatiana was showing me around her house, which was meandering and sweet and very cheerful, and as we got to her and Kolya’s bedroom, tiny by American standards, I looked out at the view from their window, endless yellow fields bordered by forests of trees, and I thought, how lucky they are to have what they do, and you can see by their happy ways that they feel the same.
After we left Nastia (almost four hours with our daughter, another first!), we went to see Sasha. He was sleeping and the teacher on duty, who’s become a friend, ran to wake him up. I hadn’t seen my little boy in four days and I couldn’t contain myself as he shuffled over. I gave him a big bear hug and I think he got that I’d missed him. It was great because all the other kids were napping so Michael and I had a good hour and half all to ourselves with Sasha. His teacher brought out a slew of New Year’s costumes (apparently this is the holiday when kids dress up) and Sasha modeled all of them. His concern was that he get to show us the “sobatchka” costume – the dog – but they were all equally cute and he was so precious. In each and every one he would stand by the New Year’s tree and wait for his picture to be taken. Really though, he was just waiting to get back into his shorts and stockings (he had an overalls malfunction when we got there) and continue playing war with the big box of toy soldiers he’d dragged out.
Time went fast, as it always does. And before we left, our son gave us each a big beautiful kiss. And we gave him the assurance we would be back in the day after tomorrow. But this he already knew.
(Stay tuned for the pictures tomorrow!)