In Memory of Vasily Mikolyuk
Tonight I attended the wake of my next door neighbor, Vasily Mikolyuk. Though his wife and daughter have been my neighbor for the past three years, Vasily was here only a year before several strokes put him in a nursing home.
Vasily was a big, burly man who had a sparkling smile. He reminded me of Topal in Fiddler on the Roof. He spoke very little English but we had short conversations through signs or his daughter. His wife speaks little English too though she knows my name – it sounds different with her Ukrainian accent.
The whole ninety minute service was in Ukrainian. I could understand words like “hospital” and “hallelujah” but that was pretty much it. They sang three songs. The first one was so hauntingly beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. The last one sounded like it could have been “Amazing Grace” but I couldn’t be sure.
As it broke up I caught the eye of Babushka, his widow, and she came back to greet the few of us who came from our condo association. I must say, I was very happy I wasn’t the only American there who didn’t understand what was happening.
You know, I almost didn’t go. I had just stuck a homemade pizza in the oven when I glanced at the clock and realized I needed to either give up going or get my ass in gear. So I turned off the oven, jumped into some decent clothes, put on some makeup and drove to the funeral home. I am so glad I went. Her “Thank you Kathy” as she hugged me brought on the tears that had only been threatening earlier.
I left thinking about the last time I saw Vasily and how he gave me one of his big smiles. My heart goes out to Babushka – she is such a humble, meek woman that everyone in the complex thinks the world of her.
The personal life, deeply lived, takes you beyond the personal…and reaches universality. –Anais Nin
November 8, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Hi Anais, this is Tamara. I am Vasily’s daughter. I live in Sarasota with my husband and 4 kids. U might know my kids, we come over to see grandma once in a while. Thank you so much for attending my dad’s funeral. It was so nice of you. I am sorry that you were not able to understand anything. We should of had an interpreter. I just got so busy planning the funeral and making all the arangements that i didn’t even think about it untill the last day. But, thank you again for attending.. Tamara..
Which building are you in??
November 9, 2007 at 2:06 am
Yes, I have seen you and your children next door several times over the years. I live right next door to your mom. It was my pleasure to attend the funeral – your mom is always such a sweet woman and your dad always greeted me with that big smile of his – I was sorry to hear about his passing.
Please do not be sorry about me not understanding what was being said at the funeral – it was one of those occasions when one doesn’t need to understand the exact words to understand the feelings and love in the room. I think an interpreter would have been too distracting. Several of the other neighbors also came so we sat together – the first song that was sung really brought tears to our eyes it was so beautiful.
It was my privilege to attend and I felt honored that your mom invited me. Thank you for visiting my site.