Her trip has me thinking about the city and family and got me flicking through photos of our times in Moscow. For photo of the month, I selected one of Granny... or Babulya.
As a member of the family, Granny is of course much loved. Yes, like many elderly relatives there, and here in the UK, she looks out for people in that slightly overbearing way... insisting that you wear clothes worthy of a Siberian winter when it's +15°C... watching how much you eat and saying, "you've hardly eaten anything, have some more" no matter how many times your bowl has been refilled.... warning you about the dangers of the big city as if you've never stepped outside the front door, let alone been into the centre of Moscow countless times and lived to tell the tale (that nothing remotely dangerous or interesting happened). But we all know it's because she cares.
Granny, who grew up in Stalin's era, is a very much a reflection of today's Russia and the past.
Habits borne of the difficult past are evident. She can't bear waste. Clothes are to worn till they fall apart and even then you cut out what you can and sew it to make something else. Food shouldn't be thrown away. Even now, those younger are fed first and then she'll eat. We could learn a thing or two from her about not being wasteful in an era of dwindling resources.
She keeps herself busy and makes herself as useful as she can. I think there are a couple of reasons behind it beyond just keeping herself occupied. One is a fear of being sent to an old people's home. No one in the family ever would; nor have they suggested or threatened it. It's just a common fear among the elderly in Russia. Care homes in Russia aren't like those here, where people going in one probably fear the change and the possibly loss of independence. There, they fear for their safety. If she's making herself useful, she's not going anywhere. Secondly, there is the need to keep herself busy because she's fulfilling the role of a useful citizen to the best of her ability. Sure, it's an effort and slower and harder than it once was, but she's still contributing.
Long may she keep an eye on us.
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