Valeriia Karaman

Valeriia Karaman Instagram – Today, I want to dedicate a post to my dearly beloved grandpa, who passed away on 17/12/2023. He was an extraordinary man with the heart of a lion. As the eldest son in a family of seven children, he endured many hardships throughout his life, yet I never once heard him complain. As a child, he survived World War II. At 14, he lost his father and became the pillar of the family for his mother and younger siblings. From a young age, he taught me about world history and geography. He gave me my first nickname, “grasshopper,” and until the last time I saw him, he would affectionately sing, “Look at this grasshopper, so cute with his knees bent backward.” My grandpa walked me down the aisle at my first wedding, and I would cancel a job in Paris just to fly home for his 80th birthday. The love story between my grandpa and grandma was one for the ages; they spent nearly sixty years together, a testament to their enduring love and commitment. He was a one-woman man, and that woman was my grandma, his partner in every sense through life’s journey.
In the last three years, grandpa suffered from dementia, and in his final weeks, he was in a coma. I saw how tired he must have been, and even though I hoped for the best, I understood it was his time to rest.
Last year, my grandparents moved from Kherson to my place in Kyiv, and I did my best to alleviate their suffering. During my last visit in Kyiv, I tried to stay as long as possible, even though I was terrified during the intense russian attacks in May.
I am immensely grateful to my wonderful friends @oleksandrahhh, @old_nyc, and @igormakedon for caring for my grandparents especially I’m grateful to @old_nyc for taking my grandpa for a walk to do sports and visiting them as often as they could.
Tomorrow, we will lay my grandpa to rest, but the memories of him will remain with me for as long as I live.
Grandpa, you were always there for me, more of a father than anyone else could be, including my own fathers.
I love you eternally, and a part of you will forever be with me. | Posted on 18/Dec/2023 19:57:25