Photo: My grandmother, Maria
Part One
The Story of Awakening
Autor’s Note
This book was originally written by hand in Russian.
The English version has been adapted by the author to preserve the meaning, emotions, and voice of the original while allowing the story to flow naturally in English.
CHAPTER 1
Where Love Begins
I don’t remember how old I was. Maybe three. Maybe younger.
I was sitting on my grandmother’s lap.
She gently rocked me and quietly said:
“Shh, shh, shh.”
Sometimes she would toss me up a little, and I would laugh, holding on to her small hands.
I don’t remember the words.
I remember the feeling.
I felt warm and safe, and I could feel that I was loved.
It wasn’t just affection.
It was a feeling that probably doesn’t need words or explanations.
Warm. Quiet. Real.
As if someone had closed the door behind me and nothing bad could ever get inside.
It was important to know that I was safe.
Back then, I still didn’t understand what the word “love “meant.
But I already knew what it felt like.
My grandmother was a strong woman.
Her life wasn’t easy, but there was some kind of inner strength in her that never broke.
And perhaps she passed a part of that strength on to me through those simple moments.
Through her hands. Through her voice. Through her presence.
Through her faith in God and through her players.
DIARY BETWEEN WORLDS 