We Meet Babushka Valya!

We were late arriving at the Internot today. As we were driving, Renee received a call on the cell phone from our friend, Michelle, asking if we were on our way. Renee confirmed we were in route. Michelle said, "Good, because I was just at the Internot and Yuri and is waiting there with his Babushka and she wants to meet you." As our van pulled up to the Internot, we noticed an elderly woman wrapped in a coat and scarf sitting on a bench in the front yard, warming herself in the sun. Could this be Yuri's grandmother?

Yuri came out the front door to meet us and the woman got up from the bench and walked our way. It was Babushka! Nataliya helped us all to introduce ourselves. Yuri's grandmother stated her name, "Babushka Valya." Her voice was clear and strong. After a bit of small talk, we all piled into the van and headed for lunch. Valya asked if we could go to the same restaurant by the Black Sea where we dined with Viktor, Yuri's brother. It had been so long since she has seen the sea. So, we happily made our way back to the sea shore restaurant.

We chatted in the van. The first question Babushka asked us was about our faith. Renee explained we believe Jesus is God's son and he died on the cross for our sins, and was raised again. Valya was emphatic in her approval. I think she was relieved to know Yuri's new papa and momma believed the same as she does.

Over lunch, we exchanged addresses and phone numbers and set a regular time when Yuri could call her. Babushka Valya supports our adoption and she was pleased to find out we were very nice people who do not let our kids run around crazy all over the city. (With the occasional exception of Liz.) She thought Renee very pretty and that she must be much younger than Paul. (Thanks, Valya.)

Valya has a proud face and the perfect eyes for a Babushka. They are small slits and you think they might be weak but, then you realize they are quite sharp, full of spirit and twinkle when she smiles. Valya struck a more stoic pose when it came time for pictures but, she has a very pretty smile. Valya's hair is thick for a person of any age, let alone a woman of 80. She ran her fingers through her hair and said, "I see so many Babushka's dying their hair this color or that color... grandmother's hair should be gray!" We learned Valya has her share of health problems but they do not seem to hold her back. She told us she does not want to die too soon because she wants to see what type of man Yuri becomes. It has to be so hard to let him go.

Valya told us Yuri had a third brother, Oleg. He was the oldest and died tragically at the age of 19. Within a year, Yuri's mother, Lydia, died of an infection relating to diabetes. Valya told us Lydia was, "a tall woman with a nice figure who played basketball." Then she told us, "Yuri likes to play basketball."

Valya was born to a wealthy family in Chernigov, Ukraine. However, Stalin came to power and the government took everything. She said her father died during this oppression and that is all she would say about it. In America, we learn about these events in books and movies but they can seem so long ago or far removed to us. It is very poignant to actually meet someone whose life was directly impacted by them. Later, Valya married a military man and settled in Odessa. He husband, Nikoli, was a radar operator in the Soviet army. He died of cancer at the age of 40. Babushka Volya has known her share of hardship.

After lunch and photos, it was time for a walk along the beach. Knowing she had trouble walking, I didn't think Valya would be up to it. Nonsense. She motored over the sand with a quick and determined gate. Pausing only a couple times when she was out of breath. After she had her fill of sun, sea and sand, it was time to head back home.

We gave Yuri and his Babushka a ride to her apartment. Yuri will stay with her tonight and all day Sunday. Valya wanted to see Yuri as much as possible before he leaves. Tomorrow, we pick Yuri up at 6:00 p.m. so he can stay with us overnight Sunday in preparation for our court appointment Monday morning.