==RUSSIA ==

This year my Granny died. Her death probably made me think of her life and of my affection for her. My dear Granny had lived 83 years and all her life passed through very difficult years of the whole century.
Her family lived in the village of Vologda, the North Region of Russia. Severe North nature moulded her character and the complicated history of our country hardened her personality. There were six children in their family, three girls and three boys. The whole family worked hard and were wealthy. But they were deprived of everything when the campaign for the elimination of rich peasantry started. I'm unaware of Granny's brothers' fates, remembering only that one of them perished in the war. And hard times came after the political campaign of deprivation. Being only 12, she had to work already as a nurse. And later on, whatever she had to do! She was a beautiful, tall, industrious and clever maid, though she hadn't any chance to attend school. How many bridegrooms had beenlonging for her. The history of our country is the story of my Granny's life. She witnessed the October Revolution, Collectivization, and War. After the war, out of the six only two remained. Much later, she had to live through the death of her husband and children.
What is she in my memory? Though she was my Great Grandmother, she could replace Grandpa and Grandma. She was a person of strong will and great soul. Never could she waste time sitting without caring for this and that. All the time she was busy mending, washing and caring. And what cakes she could bake! She brought up six grandchildren and was ready to help all of them at any moment. If it were not for her, our life would not be as it is now. Very often I miss her hands. Hot and heavy but sof and tender at the same time. Those hands could do anything. They knew severe frost and splinters. When being eighteen, she had to work as a lumberwoman. Through all her life, she worked and worked... Even being on pension, she did everything about the house.
Oh, how much I liked to watch her being busy. I think I've learned a lot of things in life from her, though I haven't comprehended them all yet.
I think my Granny lived a happy life; she loved, brought up children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She took care of everybody and everything. We miss her very much. But she still helps us because we remember her love and kindness. I agree with the famous Russian writer Korolenko: "A human being is created for being happy, as a bird comes to this world to fly". Though sometimes our life is opposed to these words, I suppose every person comes here to be happy. Even when something goes wrong and it seems to you that you are the most miserable creature in this world,don't give way to pity; everything is ahead. It is necessary to believe in it only. Think of disabled people, elderly and lovely people, big families with a lack of many things which are crying for help. They believe in happiness until the last moment. They still believe they'll see sunny days, otherwise it would be useless to live on... A man should feel happy just because he exists. We must help people and they'll be happy seeing that they are not alone... And we'll be happy when we can help people who need it. My Granny was happy. She enjoyed life and helped all people around her. As hard as it was, she believed in her fortune and worked for it to make out life easier. She never lost her spirit. When she died each of us felt lonely. And I thought I could have given her more warmth and told her more about my feelings. And another thing I felt was that we should take care of people near us more. Help them to live and be happy.