SEP 8, 19 (Part 1 of 3 Parts) .. MY LAST FULL DAY IN RUSSIAN SIBERIA .. A SPECIAL GIFT WAS GIVEN ME TODAY
Last August 5th (click onto the below link if you wish to review it) I published a Post about a blind gentleman who lives in our apartment building here in Irkutsk.
To refresh your memory, below is a photo of him from the above Post.
In the above Post I wrote:
Here is the sad thing. Going back to last November of 2018, before Patti arrived in February 2019, when Russian friends of mine here in Irkutsk were visiting here at our flat I began to point him out and to ask them : “Will you speak to him in Russian? Tell him I admire his courage. Give him my name. Maybe shake his hand so I can greet him?”
To a man, not one of the four friends I asked this favor of would oblige (do as someone asks or desires in order to help or please them) me.
Not knowing anything about him (I’d settle for just knowing his name) has left me with a real void in my experience living here in the building I have been living in for ten months.
This afternoon my landlord kindly paid me a visit to just thank me for being his tenant. It was a casual, laid-back, super visit. I got on Google Translate to ‘talk’ with him.
When it came time for him to leave, I accompanied him down to the front of our building. Why didn’t I just stay upstairs and wave to him from the window? I’m not sure.
As we stood outside, the blind gentleman approached the two of us.
Here is our conversation..
“Do you know who the blind gentleman is?”
“Yes. He was a friend of my grandparents.”
I was stunned. He continued..
“This building used to house only blind people who would work at the textile factory over there. My grandparents were themselves both blind.”
“So your Flat belonged to your blind grandparents?”
“Yes. And I know his grand children.”
“Do you know his name?”
“Of course. I’ve known him my entire lifetime. His name is Petr.”
“Will you talk to him? Will you tell him I’ve been here ten months and so admire his ability to deal with his blindness.”
By now Petr was upon us.
“Hi Petr ..” and off they went speaking Russian. Petr was smiling and genuinely happy to be talking to my landlord. Obviously they have a long and warm friendship.
As they finished visiting, and Petr walked slowly away, my land lord said that Petr said .. “I’m going to have to learn to speak English.”
Petr’s wife has passed on. He has a grandson that visits and stays with him from time to time.
Couldda .. Shouldda .. Darn it.. I didn’t do what I could have done..
I had my camera. Judging from Petr’s demeanor he would have willingly posed with me. I was so stunned at the above events I just failed to connect-the-dots. It seems that perhaps Petr has been blind most of his lifetime. In fact I failed to shake his hand.
Thank You Oh Lord God Of Abraham for this gift you have given me on my last day here in Russia.
I love you God ..
Cap
- SEP 8, 19 (Part 2 of 3 Parts) .. MY LAST DAY IN RUSSIAN SIBERIA .. SOME PHOTOS FOR PATTI
- SEP 11, 19 .. A PAUSE TO REMEMBER THE EVENTS OF ‘9 / 11’ .. SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001
6 thoughts on “SEP 8, 19 (Part 1 of 3 Parts) .. MY LAST FULL DAY IN RUSSIAN SIBERIA .. A SPECIAL GIFT WAS GIVEN ME TODAY”
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Oh my goodness. I was moved to happy tears when you told me last night about our landlord knowing and talking to Petr, our steady, blind neighbor who walks our driveway several times a day. What a satisfying and sweet ending to your stay there!! Much love, Patti
Me too. It was stunning to learn a little about Petr. Just knowing his name is wonderful. Had I not been moved to walk down and see our landlord off, this event would never have come-to-pass. Yes ! A most satisfying conclusion to our visit here. Much Love .. Cap
Monday, September 9, 2019 – 1:00 pm
Hi Cap,
It really seems like your 10 month visit to Russia (Siberia) just pasted in a “bling-of-an-eye” – Where does the time go!! It really doesn’t seem like you were there for 10 months – and I certainly understand how you feel about the time “just whizzing by”!! I will say all your emails/photos provided the details about your journey, excellent just like I was there! I really enjoyed reading/viewing your photos of the many places and folks you have visited – all very interesting!! Super Duper!! I can imagine you probably have brought your tickets for your next trip there! Ha! As long as you have good health it’s great to travel to so many interesting places on your agenda! Keep it up!!
zilla
до свида́ния
Cap, I have learned a lot about acceptance, courage, patience from my sightless pal Paul. Certainly puts my small problems in proper perspective.
For sure Tom. Thanks my friend. This was a very special event Tom. Cap