Decades ago popular Soviet singer Helena Velikanova sang about lilies of the valley heralding the coming of spring. At the time both these women were in their prime. Strong, attractive, healthy, and confident of their future. They felt they could achieve anything.
They were young when WW II broke out. They cried and cheered on V-E Day in May 1945. Then they spent years raising cities from war ruins, building giant industrial projects, paving roads, growing grain, raising children, always surrounded by live flowers.
Do not blame them for selling flowers in the Red Book. They and the rest of those fooled by the rich and the famous ought to be on an endangered human species list if it existed. Just buy their flowers. Whenever you see an old woman with flowers come up and buy all of them. And then give her a small bouquet as a present Let her remember her youth, make her happy even if for a moment...
Reuters photo:
We do not know who they are. But perhaps they are friends. They simply sit side by side, because both are selling lilies of the valley. Not cigarettes, chocolates, chewing gums, bread and such, which so many other women their age do to survive.







