Wednesday, January 15, 2014

My Six Point Story Summary

I have done a few speeches around my community for different clubs/organizations to share with them what I call "my six point story". It typically involves:

 1. I was born in Yaroslavl Russia. I was adopted at the age three from a small orphanage full of children who needed medical care.
2. During my 10 year anniversary with my adopted family I visited Russia for the first time in 2006. While I was in Russia, I visited my orphanage. I did not have any memories of the place but I was told I was the first child to ever return and visit.
3. In 2010 I wanted to find my my brothers (2) so I searched with the help of a man, my parents and my orphanage. I found my brothers and I found my birth father (which was a great surprise because I was first informed he was dead) and I found my birth mothers grave. In 2010, I went to Russia to meet my family for the first time. I t was a great experience that only lasted a week.
4. I revisit Russia again and learn that my brother Igor has TB and it is located in his spine. I watch his struggles but aim to be his greatest supporter through his hard days.
5. In the start of the yearI get the news that my brother Igor has died while at work. He has succumbed to his illness. In May during the winter snow, I fly over to visit his wooden cross at his grave site. It was a heart breaking moment for me to have just found him and then to have to immediately lose him.
6. 2013 visit to Russia- I often took a taxi throughout the city of Yaroslavl and found myself at my brothers grave. I even went to see my birth mothers place of rest. & When I was in the orphanage as a small child, I loved my Teacher Leah. I always thought of her as a mother figure and could not forget her as I got older. In the summer of 2013 I found her in her home and we spent the day together before I walked with her to visit my orphanage again. She was very happy I had not forgotten her.

My story is in the opinion section of the Moscow Times Newspaper where I wrote a letter to the editor.