I know that much of the strength and confidence I carry through life is something I inherited from her. I still feel her love – Oksana Grynyshyna

One of the most important women in my life was my grandmother Vera. 

I feel like she’s always been in my life. My parents were students when I was born and lived with my grandparents at the time. But when I was eight months old, my father decided to continue his studies at the military academy. So they had to move to another city, and my grandmother insisted on leaving me with her. Frankly, she was the best and the safest person to leave a small child with. Thus, it turned out that the memories of my first three years of life are mostly connected with my grandmother. And they are wonderful.

I think she was the kindest person I know. She always treated everyone around her with love, and this did not only apply to her family and loved ones. Even though her own life was not easy, she always tried to help everyone she could. And always did it with a smile. She was so good at connecting with people that we joked she could even chat with a lamppost. 

I feel very lucky to have had her by my side for so many years of my life and that I got to know her not only as a child. I am grateful that I had time to talk with her, laugh with her, and listen to stories from her life. Yet it still feels like it wasn’t enough. I needed more – so much more. 

I’m so glad she got to see her great-granddaughter, but I’m really sad that my daughter doesn’t remember her. I hope I managed to make her understand, at least in part, how wonderful her great-grandmother was and to pass on the lessons she taught me.

I know that much of the strength and confidence I carry through life is something I inherited from her. I still feel her love. I remember how fascinated she was by how amazing our world is. She considered this proof of the existence of God. And her sincere faith helps me even now. We are sure that her prayers have been protecting our family to this day, even in the most difficult times. 

Although it may sound illogical, I believe that all the good people who have crossed my path are there because she was in my life and taught me to recognize the light in people and treasure it.