Today in Wasilla: I find the children of Russian immigrants, sledding on Tamar
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 2:12PM ;)
I think by nature they are friendly and open, as children usually are. I do not know the circumstances that brought their parents out of Russia and into Wasilla in the mid-90's, but they seemed to come with a bit of reticence, a suspicion towards outsiders.
When they first arrived in the neighborhood, our Alaskan sled dog husky, Willow, was still with us and she would always accompany me on my walks. The Russian children all loved Willow, and would come rushing out to see her when we would walk by. In particular, there was a certain, freckled, boy with reddish-blond hair who completely adored her and he was very gregarious and outgoing.
;)
I would have guessed his age to be five or six.
Sometimes, he would follow along with us for a ways, talking, asking me all kinds of questions about Willow, petting Willow, holding her leash.
There would be other times when he would be happily talking to me when the man that I took to be his dad would spot him, and call him back.
;)
There would be other days when he would be happily talking to me, petting Willow and then, suddenly, he would stop, look around, see nobody, get a worried look on his face and say, "I've got to go now." He would dash back to the house.
;)
And then there would be still other days when he and the other children who loved Willow would stand a distance back in the driveway, nod at me and quietly say, "hi!" and "how's Willow?"
Sometimes, they wouldn't say anything at all.
I could see the desire in their eyes and faces to come out and visit Willow, but they didn't move. They stayed put. So I knew that their parents had warned them away.
;)
Several families got together and, doing the work and labor themselves, built new houses, big houses, moved out of the smaller ones they had been renting and into the big ones, just a short distance away.
In time, the gregarious, freckled boy became a teenager. Sometimes, I will still catch a glimpse of him, in a car or out on foot or fourwheeler and he will nod, making perhaps just the hint of a smile.
;)
And usually, when I come walking and see the new crop of small children playing in the distance, they are gone by the time that I get there.
;)
But today, they were sledding, having fun and they stayed.
;)
This one, the oldest out today, asked me what I do with the pictures and I told him about this blog. "Okay," he said.
;)
After they reached the bottom of the hill, they turned around and came back up again.
Some day, I hope to get to know their parents and gain their trust. Perhaps these pictures might begin to open the door with them. We will see.
This, by the way, was not really a job for the new s90 pocket camera, but it is the only camera that I carried, so I had to make it do.
And to be honest, that is part of the fun of these pocket cameras - to make them do in situations that they are not suited for, situations where you need a rapidly-focusing, rapidly-firing camera, but you do not have one so you make the pocket camera do.
As for my 2009 review, I hope to have March up in a couple of hours. It might take me a little longer, because I might decide that I want to leave this one at the top of board for just a bit more.
Two hours doesn't seem long enough.
Reader Comments (5)
A beautiful little short story as could only be written by Bill Hess. Fascinating people the suspicious Russians with their happy faces. Also loved the photos below at the dance festival. Every culture loves its dance. And now even you dance! Okay, gotta hightail it to my support group on the coldest day of the year. I should complain. For you Alaskans it's tropical weather - a freezing 22 degrees. I wear layers. My PJ bottoms go under my jeans. Happy blogging!
A nice story, nice pictures. Gees. Did you ever think about writing a book?
Bill,
You did it again. What a wonderful post. Love the closeup of the boy in red hat..what a joy on his face, actually on all their faces, absolutely priceless. Makes me want to be a kid again!!!! I hope these children get a chance to see your photos it would mean so much to them. Having grown up under communism I understand the parents. I sincerely hope you will meet and show them that they have nothing to fear. Your post brings back a mixed bag of memories for me.......Thank you.
By the way, there are always unexplained forces at work. Today it snowed in Texas again, and Debbie saw a Robin on a snow covered tree branch in Pennsylvania. Hallelujah! Hope is in the air...always.
Take good care, funnyface
ps please thank Lisa for working so hard to elect our President Obama
December 15, 2009 entry.............Leo and Naza invited me to stop at their house anytime. So, sooner or later, I will do just that.
Now there is an invitation to start breaking down the barriers. They also should see themselves in print...and experience the same feeling as I did when you acknowledged me (little ol me). Can't explain how blown away I felt. Could have knocked me over with a feather even though I was sitting down. I am sure Leo & Naza would love the intimate moments you caught of them through your lens during their outing. You need to get a card that you can give people after you take their photo and impromptu interview. Spread the joy and good will!! Bill Hess the Goodwill Ambassador of Alaska.
Awfully tempted to order a batch....know how to get help from google.
I agree with FunnyFace about the little boy with the Red hat on! His emotion is really captured well and that is how I spent many of the days sledding in Wyoming as a youngster. Thanks for the smile you put on my face today. Also I was listening to a song that came on shuffle on my Ipod as I was looking through the new entry by Margaret Whiting called "The Way You Look Tonight" and it was amazing how the song fit with the blog's latest entries! Check it out people, I am not joking it was great, just like the blog itself! T
Thanks again Bill!
Charlie