From Draga With Love

From Draga With Love
Originally uploaded by holepuncher.

My housekeeper, Draga, was a victim of the central/eastern European violence (accompanied by rapid political changes). She fleed from then-Yugoslavia to Croatia with her family because of the political persecution that millions faced. She was eventually accepted by a Croatian family for a few years before she finally came to US with her whole family more than a decade ago. But this is one person that you can't find a single sign of sadness in. Her blue eyes twinkle when she tells me stories and of course, the blonde hair helps too (aaargh, blue eyes + blonde hair = killer looks most of the time. Never mind, ignore me). I think the most important take home lesson is to realize that regardless of how bleak things may be, you should never allow bitterness to overcome you. What ever life gives you, you should still "live life the way you dreamed of living it". Wishing everyone a fruitful (but not necessarily smooth-flowing) year ahead.