Natasha and her husband Alexei met in 1992, just like my husband and me. Here's a photo of them together in my apartment in Moscow in the 90's:
I know that you, my dear unseen readers, come here to read humor. I love to write about the absurdity and nonsense of every day life. However, if you came here today to laugh, you might want to come back another time. I have only sad things to write about today. This afternoon I had started writing my latest humorous post when I got bad news from Russia. My beloved friend Natasha (who I've mentioned before) unexpectedly lost her husband. It's too early to know the cause of his death but it was probably a heart attack. He was only 41. Their daughter is ten. It's incomprehensible to me that someone my age (Natasha and I are only one month apart) is now a widow. Natasha and her husband Alexei met in 1992, just like my husband and me. Here's a photo of them together in my apartment in Moscow in the 90's: I was going to crop out the ugly electrical outlet on the wall but decided to keep it so you'd see that this photo was indeed taken in Russia (though of course I have to reason to lie about that). During this same visit, Alexei took the following photo of Natasha and me together. It's in a frame in my living room. It's always been one of my favorite pictures as I think you can see the love between us in our body language. Natasha is like a sister to me. No exaggeration. Natasha and her husband are (were) both actors. Natasha works in a theater in St. Petersburg. Alexei worked in all mediums: theater, TV, movies. He was quite well known. Natasha used to say that if Alexei was stopped by the police (the police in Russia love to stop drivers for any random reason) her husband would always get the reaction, "Oh it's you!" and be let go with only a warning. She said the one time she tried same tactic, "Do you know who I am?"-- the officer was like, "No". I found out the bad news from Natasha's brother, first through a text then a phone call. It's amazing that technology keeps us connected no matter where we are in the world. I was able to call and talk to Natasha within minutes of getting the news. We are nearly 5,000 miles apart yet I was able to sit at my kitchen table while she was in her apartment in Russia and we were able to cry together over the phone. I told her that I wished I wasn't so far away; I wish I could help her get through these horrible next few days. She said my phone call was enough. And I know she's right. If you think of it, please say a prayer or send positive energy or thoughts (whatever your personal belief) to Natasha and her daughter. As it happened, their daughter was spending the night with friends when this happened. She doesn't yet know that her father has passed away. It's late Monday afternoon as I write this, which means it's past midnight in St. Petersburg. It breaks my heart into a million little pieces to think that this little girl is asleep and when she gets up in the morning she is going to get the worst news of her life. Her life will be forever different after tomorrow.
4 Comments
Gina
1/28/2015 03:40:53 am
Thank you, you sweet girl.
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Sheryl
3/28/2015 09:53:28 am
Gina, As you may have noticed, I've been working my way down through your pages today, doing lots of lolling ;) - even leaving a comment or two of appreciation. I wow-ed at the Skyline pic (I live near Cincinnati, where they abound) and giggle at the things you giggle at, too... but now seeing this post, I had to take it all down several notches and add with all sincerity - my heart goes to you and your dear friends for your loss.
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Gina
3/28/2015 11:58:35 am
Sheryl-- this is the first comment I've ever read that brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss and for your daughter's loss. I am touched by your condolences for Natasha and her daughter-- complete strangers to you. I will send you an email (from my endearinglywacko email account). Wanted to give you a heads up in case it ends up in your spam folder. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story. Your kindness touches me greatly.
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GinaI'm the worst kind of asshole-- I think I'm funny. Archives
November 2016
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