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What am I? I graduated from a pedagogic institute. I am a teacher to my backbone. If I had had to begin my life again, I would again have become a teacher. My status is a veteran of war, veteran of labour, disabled person, widow of a war participant - a partisan of the Great Patriotic War Maksim Ivanovich Botvinko. In his honour, in his commemoration I collaborate with the partisan organization of Vinnitsa region.
To the statuses I have named to you, one more has been added. People of my generation have obtained a status of low-income and disadvantaged people. The present has added it. I feel bitter. I am all the time asking myself: why it has happened? By what right, by what law of nature this far from being honourable status was added to our honourable one?
We are a life-beaten generation and were able to cope with many things, that is why I can find my own niche in this life as well. I live an active life. I am trying to fill it with interest in what I am doing, to be of use to people. I have been rewarded for this many time. Perhaps, it is true that man shall not live by bread alone.
And, thank God, there are people who understand our troubles, both moral and material. I am talking about Volodymyr Stepanovych Prodyvus.
I am a teacher and I am unable to lie. So, believe me, it is not a passing impression. For many years, he has been giving his attention to us, my blood brothers, our organization of partisans and cryptos.
I can remember such an event. Once on the 9th of May we with his Social Centre, he in person and my blood brothers-partisans - were laying flowers at the unveiling of a stele of partisan's glory. The event was very solemn. Then we were sharing our impressions in a very friendly atmosphere. The life itself encouraged us to pass the baton of memory exactly to Volodymyr Stepanovych and the people who assist him. The people who help. Speaking then in public, I said: "Volodymyr Stepanovych, please, take the baton of historical memory from war participants, partisans and cryptos. And keep it for long, do not forget us".
He does not forget. He is sympathetic to us. He provides us with provision sets, money, he responds to our personal problems.
All the people with our income level have a special pride. We do not complain, do not beg. Volodymyr Stepanovych understands himself, what kind of help we need. I will not, probably, be mistaken if I thank him a lot on my and all my blood brothers' behalf. And we say: "Please, carry the baton of historical memory for long and hold it firmly. Do not forget us, remember us".
Perhaps, there are other people in our town who could help such people as we. But former partisans have turned exactly to Prodyvus. Why?.. He is a well-known person in the city. This is a person of a complicated lot. Exactly such people do understand what is needed and how to do it. I know he loves his mother very much, he is a good son. That is why I say a mother's thanks to him because he is as he is. His concern does not make you turn somewhere else, run here and there and beg - after all, it is so hard morally. And here everything is being done with an open heart.
Younger people, of course, cannot feel what I have learned through all my life. I have also been talked many things about. I have got rewards, people respect me, I am remembered with a good word. Perhaps, envy is not only in today's people's nature. I met Volodymyr Stepanovych not only at fests, but also, as they say, in private. I could see what a communicative, open, easy-going person he is, so it is necessary to tell his mother: "Thank you for having brought up such a son".
I take him like this. That is why I turn exactly to him, to his Social Centre. I am quite an ambitious person and I would not turn to anywhere. But there I am coming with pleasure. And I know that I will be met with a smile and given hope with a kind word.
Life is very contradictory and cruel. You know, I am an honoured teacher of public education, my portrait was always on the place of honour. And at the same time the more successful I was, the more dirt and gossips were told about me. When I was younger I took it very hard, I even tried to make excuses. But then I just didn't care for those envious people! One should know his own place, have his own truth and follow it. There cannot be many truths, because otherwise it is an untruth. So I live, without demeaning myself.
There are many base, mean people. Envy and bad manners push them for ill actions. They enjoy hurting someone.
We are sincerely thankful to Volodymyr Stepanovych for his longstanding caring of us, for his unselfish help and concern of our life, for his agreeable and open heart and generosity. It is a great happiness for a mother to bring up such a kind-hearted son. And a successful son. He is a victor in this life! He knows how to live, to win, to cope with troubles... This is priceless!
… I thought the greatest troubles are over. And here is the today's disaster: having fifty years of service I have lived to see a status of a low-income and disadvantaged person.
You know, every time Volodymyr Stepanovych thinks over every point of our meetings. He cares not only about laying the table, but also about a cake, even in an unusual packing, and about a carnation for everybody. You may not understand it now, but this is not just a bag of products. This is attention.
… After each such meeting I say after him: "My son, God save you!"