Ghosts of Ukraine

I am no expert on Ukraine, but I am an expert on my Ukrainian grandparents, Gregory and Eva Smolij, the most influential people in my life. I was born in 1975, when my grandparents were still working in the factories of Detroit. I remember them as a source of endless love. They were sweet, playful, affectionate, nurturing, helpful, and exceedingly generous. They cooked for me, took care of me when I was sick, played games with me, worked in the garden with me, and told me stories, and sang me songs. I called them Dido and Baba.

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