"Uncle Vanya" /Sredneberezovskaya/

___ How many abandoned villages we have. And after all, people live in them! Although, the word “live” is hardly appropriate here, but rather “survive”. Rather, "Survive."
___ In the village of Sredneberyozovsky of the Topkinsky district, it is unlikely that there will be more than a dozen houses. As you already understand, there is no work, no shop either. There is no FAP, the bus does not enter the village, you can leave only from the highway, to which there are at least five kilometers from the heels. The policeman lives in the village of Topki, which is about 40 kilometers away.
____How? HOW can you live there ???
____ But people live!
____ Uncle Vanya is retired, it saves. Of all the benefits of civilization, he has water in the house - a legacy from the times of the USSR. Well, electricity, of course. To the question - “Why not leave?” answered plainly - “Where? Who and where is waiting for me ?! ” Uncle Vanya lives alone, or rather with a dog. The wife died a few years ago, and they were left alone with the dog. I thought to myself - what will happen to him next, how will Ivan deal with household chores, when his health starts letting him down ?! I could not resist, asked cautiously - “Are there relatives?” “Yes,” Ivan answered. “The brothers live in Kemerovo, their mother in a neighboring village. She will soon be 90 years old, and does not want to leave anywhere. One lives like that. ” I just precipitated ....
___ Often, a neighbor from the nearest house comes to Uncle Vanya. Chat, help with the housework (in the village, helping a neighbor is a sacred thing), and let a glass or two pass. So we were actively invited to the table. "Come, drive yourself?", - smiling, I asked Uncle Vanya. “But where are we ... Vodka from the city store,” Ivan answered sadly.
___ Everything is sad here! And there are some sad houses, and roads that you won’t look at without tears, and the landscapes around are a little encouraging. Except for one - PEOPLE! People here are bright, but almost always poor! Sometimes untidy, sometimes, frankly dirty! But their souls are absolutely clean and, most importantly, REAL!

November, 2019 ............................................