Marina took hold of Tanya’s hand since she could not hide her emotions from him.
Tanya was at death’s door as her body weakened, yet she saw no pain above all else, as she watched her daughter Verochka quietly draw some flowers.
“Marish… please,” she whispered to herself. Be kind to Verochka. You live in a home and your heart is warm. She is on her own. Promise me.”
Fighting the emotion in her throat, Marina slowly nodded. “I promise. It will feel as if she were one of my family.
Tanya died two days after she fell ill. Her parting was relaxed and cozy. When the service began, Verochka just held Marina’s hand tightly, not once shedding a tear.
That night, as they talked in Marina’s home, the girl gently told her father, “Mama’s not dead. I am aware of her presence.
Marina hugged her and said carefully, “She is always inside your heart, darling.” Still, Verochka thought she could hear her mother’s voice, coming from someplace deep inside her.
Verochka enlisted Marina’s help to get her to the train station the day after.
Confidently following what she believed, the girl passed through unfamiliar areas and led the woman to an old, now-used-as-a-shelter former infectious disease clinic.
Swiftly, she went for a mattress that rested beneath the staircase.
“Mom!”
Marina was unable to move. Lying nearby was a person who might have been Tanya, but had no life left in her. A physician on staff gave an account of the woman getting found near a major road, having no ID and not being able to talk clearly.
It’s possible that she went through brain damage after spending some time in a de.ad state.
Yet, as soon as Verochka held the woman’s hand, her eyes became clear. “Are you really there?” she asked in a whisper. Verochka recognized her name and cried for the first time.
Tanya was originally thought to be de.ad, but she was saved and returned to life before ending up at the morgue.
Without oxygen, she had forgotten many details about her life. While the world lost all hope, her daughter knew all along her mother was still alive.
She quickly arranged medical help for the man. Little by little, Tanya remembered people, places and different feelings. The process of getting better was not simple. Sometimes she woke up screaming in fear and did not know what was happening. Sometimes, Verochka would hug her and tell her, “I’m right here.” You’re safe.”
Marina was always standing by their side. She visited every single day, supported the doctors and gave her mother nourishing meals and comfort. She would often tell me, “You’re not facing this by yourself.” You have Verochka as your servant. I am here for you. Keep going.”
Tanya stopped being a patient at the hospital when snow came and from that moment she became just like family to Marina at home. While helping decorate the house during the holidays, Verochka exclaimed, “Do you believe Santa discovered Mom was back in the house?”
With a smiling answer, Tanya said: “He is doing that now.”
She came back to us not by chance, but through the love, faith and firm friendship around her.
Moving on with her life took a lot of time. She did not have any documents or a job. Merely scattered memory and two people who supported her dreams. With time, she got a job with a local nonprofit group. Whenever she prepared her lunch, Verochka included a little note that told her son, “I’m proud of you.”
One year after living with Alice, Margot and her mother moved into their own little apartment. The students at school gathered to hear Verochka read her poem out loud on Mother’s Day. When I finished, I added, “My mom died once.” But I loved her in return. Aunt Marina is also a mother.
Two years went by. After gaining strength and stability, Tanya came to the school and spoke herself.
When everything falls apart and things seem hopeless, love is the rope that might save you. My daughter always held on tightly. My friend carried us both until we were able to stand once more.
Sipping her tea that night, Marina said, “I hoped I was saving you… Perhaps, I was the one you saved instead.
Tanya gently looked down at her daughter sleeping next to her. She swore she would always be the thread in their lives. You were the tie that prevented our bond from coming apart.
Things had not gone well for him. More importantly, it gave them something they treasured: friendship, strength and an opportunity to start over at home and in love.
Tanya was only now truly experiencing life, after she had left.
