Some of the most beautiful things in the world come out of the mouths of children and of the elderly. Innocence is the cause of the former, perhaps, and wisdom the latter. The effect of the two on me is similar–a smile, sometimes a few tears, and the certitude that there is goodness around us.

There are some things you never want to have in common with another person, but you nevertheless feel connected when you do. Andrei established the connection between us at the beginning of his letter: ”You know, I am also sick, and unfortunately, terminally.”

Eugenia translated fourteen letters in our first meeting–remarkable–and the first was written by a 17 year-old woman named Marina who lived in the Leningrad suburbs. Marina spoke initially about the beauty of Leningrad: the complex of palaces and an amazing park with fountains. She said she was studying education and was planning on becoming a preschool teacher.