Thank you so much for your letter and for the
good mood you give me every time I read your words. Sometimes we need
so little to smile, right? Your letters have already become an
important part of my day. Even when I’m very busy with work, I always
find a moment to read you and write back. Today I greeted you with
Hello, dear, xxx! it came out completely naturally, without
thinking. I hope you don’t mind me calling you that? I feel that with
every letter we are getting closer, and it makes me happy. Honestly,
if we met in real life, it would probably be much harder for me to
open up like this about my family and my childhood. But somehow, in
our letters, I feel safe to share. You know, I was raised in quite a
conservative way. My sister and I never drank or smoked, and even now
I only occasionally enjoy a little red wine or champagne. We never
touched drugs. Instead, we spent our childhood helping our mom
feeding pigs, ducks, chickens, and geese. Though I must confess I
never dared to feed the geese! They always tried to pinch me, and I
was a little scared of them. But the piglets loved me, especially one
named Nyusha! She was always hungry and I often gave her my cakes
instead of eating them myself. Did you have a favorite animal when you
were a child? It’s funny when I write to you, I feel like I’m
talking to an old friend whom I haven’t seen for a long time, sharing
little stories and memories. Isn’t it strange and wonderful at the
same time? Back to the topic of upbringing. While many of our
classmates went to discos, my sister and I stayed home to study or
help with housework. Nobody forced us we just watched our mom and
wanted to follow her example. Even now I believe that parents should
always be role models for their children. That’s why it’s so sad to
see young mothers walking with babies while smoking or drinking beer.
Children repeat what they see. Another role model for me was my aunt,
my mother’s sister. Thanks to her, I decided to get a pedagogical
education. To study at the university, I had to move from our village
to Bishkek, about 110 kilometers away. My aunt lives in Astana,
Kazakhstan! She is currently working as a tutor. By the way, I
promised to tell you about our family tradition. Whenever my aunt
visits Kyrgyzstan, we have a big family celebration! My mom cooks
delicious food, and she and my aunt sing songs. I don’t have a great
voice, but I always sing along it’s such a warm and happy time
together. My aunt is very dear to me, almost like a second mother.
After my grandparents passed away in Kazakhstan, she even gave up part
of her inheritance so that my sister and I could keep their house.
Later we sold it and, with the money plus a loan from the bank, I was
able to buy my own apartment. That was back in 2019! It's good that I
managed to do this even before the increase in real estate prices!
After 2020, apartment prices have increased dramatically here in
Bishkek. Yes, I'm still paying off the loan, but at the same time I
have my own apartment! Of course, living alone sometimes feels lonely.
I watch TV or read to distract myself. Just yesterday I rewatched
Forrest Gump. I’ve seen it several times already, but good movies
never get old, right? Tonight, though, I plan something healthier
I’ll go to the fitness center! And you, xxx, what are your plans
for the evening? I’ll be waiting for your next letter with a smile.
Today I am sending you a photo with my aunt from Kazakhstan! Warmly,
Raida