To One of Many Heroes of Blockade of Leningrad.

Dedicated to memory of my mother-in-law, Nina Mihalova Forgive me, please. I speak these words too late. You have been long already in the other world, And God welcomed you. But I want to thank you today. I thank you for your patience and modesty, boldness and kindness, I thank you for force of your spirit and generosity of your soul. All this has helped you during terrible 900 days of blockade of Leningrad to live, give and rescue the life of my most dear person, your son Vladimir. He was born on November 6, of 1941, when Leningrad was surrounded by the German armed forces. You came back to work a month later after his birth. You had not enough food or warmth in your apartment, You worked together with men from morning till the late evening In a huge foundry. It was very heavy work. It was too heavy a time for such a small, fragile woman like you. But you never complained. Your husband was lost, dying to protect Leningrad from fascists. You met death around you very often. But you worked for victory and a life for your son. Once, when you have taken him from his bed to feed, a bomb fell right on that place where he had been laid! You have again rescued him. You are not present with us already many years. But I remember your nice smile And I see your features on the face of my husband who is the most important person in my life. I hope you hear me and I ask your blessing and protection.