Happiness through pain

In the distant, warm beginning of spring, when snow, which until recently covered the land with a white blanket, starts to melt, nature is ready to wake up from her winter dream, bright carnations bloom on the costs of the Neva river. Ice islands depart into a freedom journey, the sun has just risen and every moment is like a child’s dream
It wasn’t an ordinary spring day - it was illuminated by the light of hope, love and courage, thanks to which a person survived difficult trials. People gathered in the central square to celebrate a special date - eighty years since the complete liberation of Leningrad from the fascists blockade.
Leningrader sits on a lifeless pile of stones. Putting his hands, white as sugar snow on his knees, raising his head, he looks into the face of a tiny boy who staring at the lights, saying to him:
— On the edge of the earth, where the Neva river hugs the shores, stands the city - Leningrad. The city that has long known happiness and sorrow, that sleeps at night to the sounds of silent eyes, and during the day it blooms under a bright sky, but the hour came, when black clouds enveloped it, and the enemy roared like animal. The blockade put heavy shackles on the city, and the hearts of its citizens, strong and brave, began to beat in unison with sadness and hope.
— Every enemy is scary, until you overcome your feelings to your motherland, and yes, it was difficult. The Leningrader calmly shook his head, smiling at the sun, suddenly revived, he turned his glimpse back to the boy, his blue eyes are sparkling.
— My father often told me:
“They have spilled blood on our land, She will burn them, you will see, son, I will come back, the land should feel the enemy!”
— All the days were scary back then, we, Leningrads - are so small, and the city is enveloped in a dark veil of loses, when hunger and cold clouded our souls…
you had to see it to understand! You need to see the appearance of a magical spirit in the hearts of little Leningraders, then it became a shield for them from the enraged nature, you need to see a small person in the face of danger - it is impossible to imagine such an undefeated power now. Believe me: in the end this little Leningrader with the protection of a magical spirit will die for the freedom of his people.
My father didn’t believe in that at first
“To die by surrendering to his people and a cruel enemy”, - he told, - it’s against to our spirit which fills our hearts with love and courage, what composes new stories about the victory of the Leningraders not only over the enemy, but also before their own fear . The Land will definitely avenge her wounds, She will burn the enemy, throw him into the red water, sparing no one.
The gaze of the Leningrader, looking at the night, starry sky, darkened, turning to the boy, he continued his story:
— He was wrong. I received two envelopes this morning, one with his signature, I read it first, - “my time is over, master, take care of yourself. You know, my son, giving your life for the freedom of others is a feat of the strong! Do you believe that, son?
I believed
— I ask you, if our land takes revenge for her wounds, burns the enemy, come to my grave and tell me: father - the land spares no one. So that I can go to another world with a calm soul. Be sure to come, I will be waiting for you!
I kept the second envelope for myself, knowing that if I opened it, I would only read one line.
— Time passed, and the day came when the blockade was lifted. Cries of joy filled the air and people’s eyes sparkled with tears. Oh, it was truly a long-suffering joy, and when I remember this day, I feel that I did not live for nothing. And, when we came out of the ground into the sun, many people then lay down on the land with their breasts, kissed her.
Then I loved freedom more than life.
— After a while, of course, I went to my fathers grave, even though I knew he wouldn’t hear me, but I went: we must respect those who gave their lives for our freedom.
I laid my red carnations on the grave and said with pride, as he wished:
— Father, the land spared no one! - I said. People won.