Cherishing Memories of Grandmas Brooch

Remembering Grandma

I often find myself envying those who still have their grandparents around at 30. I never met my grandpa on my dad's side, and my grandma passed away back in 2014. I vividly recall our trips to visit her in Khabarovsk, especially the huge packages she would send us filled with caviar, fish, and those amusing Nanai slippers for everyone!

With my mom's parents, we had a very close relationship, particularly with my grandma. It was a classic millennial childhood spent at the dacha! Sadly, they also left this world relatively early—I was lucky enough for my grandma to see me get accepted into Moscow State University, and my grandpa even witnessed my very first job. It's funny to think that my grandma met my husband before we ever imagined this would be our path.

When she passed, I came across a photo of us together. I framed it and placed it above my desk, and suddenly, a flood of childhood memories came rushing back!

• "Buly, why are your hands like that?"
• "Oh, I’ve just been digging around in the garden a lot; they tanned!"

As a child, that was a sufficient explanation. It was only later that I learned my grandmother had vitiligo, which she was quite embarrassed about. I wish I could have shown her a photo of the well-known Canadian model Winnie Harlow.

And of course, I have strong memories tied to her belongings. I still remember that faded towel with Disney's Dalmatians in the background and her robe as if I had seen them just yesterday. I’m sure that lovely blue brooch must still be somewhere!

I searched through her entire dacha: jewelry boxes, drawers, and chests. The whole family joined the hunt for that brooch. Even years later, after I had moved away, I would peek into her old room, hoping it would miraculously appear in some drawer. But I never found it; it seemed to have been lost for a very long time.

Then, just a few weeks ago, my sister sent me a listing on Avito for a vintage "blue lollipop brooch from the USSR."

There was no doubt, it was definitely hers!