Mr. K. woke up at the dawn of a summer morning and, after slowly sipping a 5 o’clock cup of coffee, started nervously walking back and forth in the living room. Today one of his nieces was flying the family nest. The honorable, wise, grey-bearded man was doing  in his power to make a girl M. change her mind and stay home. He tried persuading her that the world lying across the ocean is totally different, and people are different, and life there is unrolling in a different manner.

“Listen, honey, I have seen an incredible amount of things you won’t believe! I have gone through the wringer!  Make no doubt that nowhere else on the planet Earth chestnut trees blossom as gloriously and lilac bushes smell as lusciously as they do in springtime here—at home. I have raised you with love, shaping you into a generous, hard-working human with a soul full of kindness and warmth. Too bad, you are abandoning your home…”

“Wherever the road takes me, wherever I settle down—I will always carry you in my heart, dear Mr.K. Every time something worth remembering happened, I took mental pictures of the events and places. Then I put them away in the imaginary box called “Sweet Memories of Mine” inside my head. These pictures are like family jewels: kept safe and sound with me forever. Do you recall the park with a breathtaking view? And the river cruise on a boat? And the artist-spirited street, paved in stones, where an extraordinary Baroque church stands proudly? I remember everything, every slightest thing. I promise to write you letters and pay visits as often as I can”.

The girl was moving to the aunt Ph. 

Young and corpulent Ms.Ph. preferred colorful dresses, always smiled and, generally, was looking like an energetic mother of a large family who adopted a couple dozen children from all around the world. What a variety of kids she was taking care of! The girl M. will become an addition to her vibrant family now. 

“You know, dear Mr.K., she and I are alike in certain ways — we both are adventurous women with an A-student syndrome. Ms.Ph. is a famous pioneer in many fields. I have always taken risks and chosen the roads less traveled as well. I bet, we will get along”.

“It seems to me that you have made your final decision, my darling. I will miss you but I wish nothing but the best for you…Don’t forget me!”.

“Never!”—reassured him the young girl M., getting out of the taxi cab. She arrived at the airport.

Meanwhile, the information on the flight “Kyiv-Philadelphia” has appeared on the departure board. Maria came to the check-in counter holding a ticket. Her new life was shimmering within touching distance…