Part 1: https://lemmy.ml/post/26366649

Part 2: https://lemmy.ml/post/26569540

I have somewhat digressed from the topic of spiritual wealth, but a person’s spiritual richness or poverty still depends, to some extent, on the spiritual state of the society in which that individual lives. I spent the majority of my life under Soviet rule. Undoubtedly, the ideology of Marxism-Leninism significantly influenced my worldview. Our generation did not have the opportunity to critically evaluate the dominant ideology. I fervently believed in socialism and communism, especially until the mid-1970s, and I perceived spiritual nourishment through the lens of Marxism-Leninism. Everything that fit into the Procrustean bed of Marxism was considered correct, and everything else was discarded. Considering that I was the number one communist in my household, you can understand that I had to adhere to Marxism as devoutly as a priest adheres to the Bible. It’s especially hard to realize that during the best years of my life, I was like a blind kitten. I’ve somewhat strayed from the theme of “my years, my wealth,” but indirectly, I’m still answering what kind of wealth our generation’s years held. Perhaps these words imply that my wealth is measured by the number of years I’ve lived? I disagree with that. The richest person is a newborn. The greatest wealth is the time allotted to you for life, and the more years I live, the poorer I become. I’ll soon be 80, so I’m on the brink of poverty. Soon, not only my wealth but I myself will be gone. What can you do? That’s how nature works. The old fades away, and the new is born and thrives.

And that’s how it should be. Otherwise, there would be complete chaos on Earth. Death, as paradoxical as it may sound, is a necessary phenomenon for the normal existence of humanity. Therefore, we should approach it more calmly and philosophically. If a person reaches an advanced age—80, 90, or 100—and passes away, there’s no need to make it a tragedy. Of course, it’s always sad when someone leaves, but it’s natural. However, when young people die—whether violently, from illness, accidents, or other causes—it’s truly a tragedy. There’s no justification for that. A person should live at least until 100. That’s normal, and I strive for that. I have a wife who has been with me for over 60 years and guards my health like the apple of her eye. She truly does everything to ensure I exist on this sinful Earth for as long as possible. We have a direct need for this. The thing is, sooner or later, we might have a great-grandchild from Katya. The question is: Who will take them for walks in the stroller? Of course, it will be my wife and me. Katya will need to work, and the great-grandchild’s grandmother will also be working, so it’s up to us—the great-grandfather and great-grandmother. So, nothing works without us. It’s good to have many children. Someone will always need you. And when you’re needed, that feeling contributes to prolonging life. I don’t believe it when some people roll their eyes and say, “Oh, I don’t want to live anymore; I’m tired of life.” That’s not true! Everyone wants to live, and as long as possible. And there’s no need to fear death. I often ponder questions of life and death. Of course, our older generation will pass, but we also remain. My wife and I have four daughters, three grandsons, five granddaughters, two great-grandsons, and three great-granddaughters. In each of them, there’s a piece of our flesh and blood. That’s where we live on. That’s immortality.

As for material wealth, I’d like to quote a poem by the grandson of Nicholas I, Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich:

I am fortune’s darling, from my birth,

Wealth and honors, rank and worth,

Called me to heights, to lofty aims,

Destined for greatness, by noble claims.

But what are riches, gold, or might?

The grave consumes all, day or night.

The glittering show, the fleeting gleam,

Will vanish like a wave’s brief dream.

I don’t think one could say more accurately or profoundly about the role and significance of earthly blessings. The poem is taken from the book Heartfelt Secrets of the House of Romanov, page 6.

I wanted to end this theme of “My Years, My Wealth” here, but on September 19, an event related to my years occurred, and I cannot help but mention it. The fact is that on September 15, 2010, I turned 80. Since the date, from a certain perspective, isn’t very cheerful, I didn’t want to celebrate it in a grand way. I didn’t want any formality. But my youngest daughter, born in the village of Tiksi, convinced her sisters, and on September 19, they gathered everyone at the Georgian restaurant “Amirani”. The restaurant is small, very cozy, and beautiful. I expected the usual clichéd toasts, various praises, and comments about how wonderful I am, and so on. But what my daughter Fatima and her husband Artem organized exceeded all expectations. It wasn’t about the table set or the drinks, though all that was there. The main thing was the expression of respect and love for us, the great-grandmother and great-grandfather, from our children, sons-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, and great-granddaughters. But what delighted my wife and me wasn’t just how wonderfully my anniversary was organized. We were thrilled by the warmth and love everyone showed each other at this event. Relationships between children are not a simple matter. I’m proud of my children, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, and great-granddaughters. All four of my daughters have higher education, as do all my sons-in-law. My grandson Alexey graduated from a military university. My granddaughters Tatyana, Oksana, Alena, and Natasha also have higher education. My grandson Zhenya is a second-year student at Moscow State University. My granddaughter Ekaterina is a second-year student at the Higher School of Economics University. And the most important thing is that every single one of them entered university without any connections or favors. How can one not be proud of such descendants?