“I had a very interesting dream, but it seemed to me that I was awake.  It was warm, very warm, and snow was falling.  It was not ordinary snow.  It fell in big white flakes.  I had never seen anything like it.  The snow fell quietly and tenderly upon my face.  And I stood and looked at the sky, where shone stars and a big, bright moon which looked like Mama and lit up my face.

Yes, yes, exactly like that!  It also seemed to me that I was feeling the great love of a relative who LOVES me.

I don’t know how it is to be always close to a person who loves you.  Then, in my dream there appeared a kind of path going up, which was lit by stars.  I went up it, higher and higher.  What drew me upward?  I felt that up there was someone who loved me, who was calling me and wanted to show me something.  He had a tender and gentle voice, he was very, very nice!  I was not afraid to follow him.  The voice welcomed me to a big clearing, where stood a beautiful little house, like a tower in a fairy tale.  All around there was a noise, but it was a cheerful and very pleasant noise.

The voice that accompanied me whispered quietly:  “Have hope, and you will hear me again and again, and we will never be parted.  And for now I’ll be beside you.”  I felt like something touched my cheek, and I woke up.  I opened my eyes wide, I even rubbed them to see better.  I really hoped to see next to me, him whose voice I had heard in my dream.  But I was again alone in my bed and it was again in the orphanage . . .”

This so sincere and touching story was told to me by Vanya on Christmas.

Vanya lives in hope, that to him will appear a person who will be near and like family, who will give him his love.

We know that among us are those who want to, and can, help the orphans.  Who want to hold them warmly, and say gently and with pride:  My boy, you are my little star and I love you!”

Beloved children don’t go to live at the orphanage.

Look around, in the world are a lot of children who very much need us, whose hearts wait for YOU.  Help them, support them, let a boy forget the sorrow and loss which he has had to experience in his small, but already so sad life.  A life in the orphanage without mother and father.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely and lovingly,

Valentina Ushakova