Dear Reader,

There are people in the world who know no misery and woe and they take comfort in cheerful films about twittering birds and giggling elves.

There are people who know that there’s always a mystery to be solved. And they take comfort in researching and writing down any important evidence. But this story is not about such people.

This story is about the Baudelaires. And they are the sort of people who know that there’s always something. Something to invent, something to read, something to bite, and something to do, to make a sanctuary, no matter how small. And for this reason, I am happy to say, the Baudelaires were very fortunate indeed. 

-From the film, A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

It was 1991 when we met the couple in the photo above. Dancers with a talented troupe from Latvia, their training and mentoring was under the instructor of native Latvian, Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov.

They came to the United States, to perform in several locations, with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro being one of the locations.

As visitors, housing was made available for the dancers by local families, and our family was privileged to participate. Meeting this couple, it became apparent that, "They were the sort...".

We could not have imagined, how their gentle spirits and character, would so be endearing to us.

Their names were Guntis and Diana, and when we first brought them to our house, I realized quickly, that this tour for them was going to be a memorable one.

Pulling into the driveway of our modest two-story, 2000 square foot home, the first question asked by Guntis and Diana was... "Do you have more than one family living in this house?"

I answered "no", and when they came inside to see where they would be staying, in the upstairs of our house, complete with bathroom and two bedrooms, they were .... overwhelmed.

And for the next week or so, we would be humbled and honored in getting to know these people.

It was delightful to have them sit at our dinner table ... experiencing new foods, enjoying them and licking their plates.

Eating at McDonald's for the first time, was a real treat. Going to Wendy's and ordering at the "drive-through" was hard for them to believe. And having never seen a drive-through, Guntis was prompted to ask the question, "Where does this food come from?"

We also took them shopping, which was unfamiliar to them. We purchased a pair of Reebock tennis shoes for each of them, and it was like a dream come true.

While staying with us, our daughter celebrated her eighth birthday. And on the morning of her birthday, before taking them to the college for practice, Guntis and Diana, surprised our daughter with a special birthday performance.

They came downstairs, arm in arm, singing so joyfully, "Happy Birthday", while holding a balloon tied to a string with a little box dangling at the other end.

It was the sweetest thing, and we almost cried. Our daughter was delighted, and when they gave her the little box, she found a ring with a beautiful stone in it. She was thrilled.

And the experience of the moment, sweetly revealed the beauty of these people. You see, while these performers, had such talent and skill, we also realized that, in Latvia, they lived in rather meager situations.

Their family of three shared a small house with Diana's mother. Guntis had a job as a "paramedic". But his job was made difficult, because access to lifesaving equipment like a fibulator, was often unavailable. When it was available, it did not always work, which was very frustrating. And delivering babies in Latvia, could also present challenging experiences, due to lack of available medical resources.

Food sources in Latvia, were very different from the United States. For Diana, she was thankful that the government allowed a free gallon of milk each week, for mother's that stayed at home.

Getting fresh fruit, did not come from a grocery store, but knowing what areas to pick berries. Cheese was available, but the wait in line to get a small block of cheese would be three to four hours.

Guntis and Diana went to the grocery store with me, once. "Overwhelmed" was pretty much their feelings. As we walked through the store to get what I needed, she was quiet. Finally, in her gentle voice, she asked, "Where does this food come from?" My stomach sank, for what she felt.

We also found out from Guntis and Diana, about the invasion of Russia into Latvia in 1990, where Soviet military forces planned a take over the Latvian government. Guntis was part of a human-chain that formed to intervene on behalf Latvia. With tanks approaching, it was a narrow escape, that intervention was made. And yes, he is the sort .....

Finally, in March 1990 the pro-independence party, Latvian Popular Front, gained a two-thirds majority in the Supreme Council in democratic elections. And on May 4,1990, the Latvian Council declared restoration of full Latvian independence, removing the Soviet political and military forces who were unsuccessful in overthrowing the Latvian government.

Currently, a Ukranian crisis, initiated by Russia, threatens the Ukrains' independence, after having instated, The Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine on August 24th, 1991.

But, there is another sort of person, one who knew, there was something to do. It is the Mayor of the City Kyiv, Ukraine, and former Heavyweight World Champion, Vitali Klitschko. Retired from Boxing as a Millionaire, he now, currently joins the Ukraine Army to defend their Country from Russian occupation.

While there are varying perspectives within political parties, the valor of Mayor Vitali Klitschko, reveals commitment to his country and belief system, and the sort of man he is....

May we all strive, to be the sort....

For the Support of Your Life
And the Many Sides of Life

Paulette Jackson is a wife, mother, grand-mother, writer, poet, and Licensed Professional Counselor for women and couples. As a therapist, her interest is to support clients in relating to life in a more connected, authentic way, as well as with a greater sense of well-being with others, themselves, their heart and soul. And writing, whether it is a blog, a poem, or a published article, is a part of that support. Visit her blog at facetsofcounseling.wordpress.com or email her at facets@bellsouth.net.