This is a terribly sad weekend for me. I came home from work last night to some heartbreaking phone calls from my family. My Russian Uncle Joe, one of the last remaining Russian Wolkonsky princes in exile, is dying. He has cancer. Thankfully he has not been in pain. His battle has been about a year long and it is only a few days before the 1st anniversary of my brother's death. The last time I saw my uncle in person was during that trip to the west coast last Oct. to attend my brother's funeral My aunt said my uncle has a couple of days left at most & that he still looks good in spite of the severe illness.
My last memory of interaction with my uncle is very sweet. I am the only one in the immediate family who is learning Russian. My Russian reading skills were good enough I could read the Russian website with my Russian Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather listed historically as some of the official Russian nobility from the past. It is comforting to see the family recognized in Russian culture now. I called my uncle and told him about it because I new he was interested in our Russian heritage. I am not sure if he remembered much of what I told him, he was already sick & one of his first symptoms was memory loss. But I know he comprehended and liked what I told him for a few moments and it made him happy.
