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writing, but also gives them strength through her person. Her beautiful example of patience helps others to overcome their own misfortunes and discomforts. Though her body is weak, she has an inner strength that lifts spirits, consoles and amuses. The sound of her laughter has no equal. When I come into her room I sit at her bed and we talk. We begin in the morning and talk late into the night. We talk as the sunlight flows through her windows, we talk with the lamp on, and when the village cuts off electricity, we talk by the light of a candle. At first we found that we often laugh at each other. I come from the city and simple country matters were strange to me. I had never gone to a well for water. I had never really been close to a cow before. And when a sheep found its way from the stable into Anya's rooms, I literally climbed on her bed and hid behind her. On the other hand, when I first washed my hair in a tiny basin and dried it with a hair dryer and then curled it with a curling iron, Anya and her mother looked at me as if I had come from a different planet. But somehow, at her bedside, we found a mutual understanding and grew to know each other well. Often as we share stories, we are interrupted by one guest or another. Each new person brings his own impressions and perspective and leads us to another topic that we hadn't yet touched. Sooner or later the guests leave and we are left alone to continue the conversation that never ends. The first time we had to part, Anya said to me, "Ksenia, don't be sad. Take me with you and I'll be in your heart wherever you go." And so, every time I part with her, I leave a piece of my heart in her room and always take a part of Anya with me home to America. Through Anya, I grew to understand the meaning of determination and self-discipline and was introduced to unencumbered cheerfulness. She taught me to see beauty in simple things and to be thankful for everything that we so often take for granted. Next to her bed, I was introduced to the beauty of Bukovyna and the customs of the area. I grew to understand the hopes and dreams of the people and their way of life. It was in Anya's room that I experienced a love for Ukraine first hand. Last October, when I visited Anya for the fourth time, there was a presentation of her third book of poetry in the city of Chemivtsi. Four hundred people filled the hall. Each of them came to pay tribute to a remarkable person, who, not having left her bed for twenty-three years, raised herself from her bed by self-discipline and gained the respect of a world that admired her. Every person that spoke at this presentation underlined her inner strength, her enjoyment of life and her love of people. How unfortunate that Anya couldn't see this. But many went out of their way to tell her about the event. The phone didn't stop ringing. There was a program about her on television and there were several radio reports as well. It was an emotional experience to be in the audience that evening. I saw with what effort Anya attained her accomplishments and I'm glad that she did not succumb to her illness and used her God- given talents to the fullest. She not only seeks but also finds beauty in life and also knows how to share it with those around her. She is a wonderful example to both young and old. In life, one has many different acquaintances. But to find a true soul mate is a real treasure. I wish eveiyone had but one friend in life like the one I have in the beautiful person and poet Anna Dushchak. ’S Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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