peacetraveler22 | Remembering Samantha Smith

Hello dear readers! I know many of you voted for me to travel to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, but unfortunately finances are tight and airfare there too expensive. So, in a week, I'll return to my beloved Maine and go on another road journey to New England. During the trip, I plan on meeting with Samantha Smith's mother in Boothbay Harbor. What questions do you want me to ask her?

I've had no time for the blog recently due to a hectic work and life schedule. :( However, next week I'll show you "good Russia," with stories about Kazan and Ples from the winter journey. In the meantime, please let me know what questions you have for Samantha's mom. I'm happy I can finally leave the office for a week, meet with her, and relax in the beautiful surroundings of cozy New England. Does the younger generation in Russia know about Samantha's legacy? How do they learn about her? Or, is she mostly known to those who grew up during the Soviet period? I think her mother will be interested in knowing these facts. :) Have a nice weekend!

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This post brings back my memories! I grew up during the Soviet period and I remember Samantha very well, she was about the same age as me. I followed her story on TV very closely and was really shocked when she died. I remember, I even wrote a little poem about her (naive, kids’ poem):

Саманта. Саманта. Саманта.
Ты маленькой, право, была,
Но сделала ты ведь, Саманта,
Больше добра, чем зла.

Ты мира хотела и счастья,
И жить чтоб всегда без войн,
И светлыми ручками детства
В сердцах зажигала огонь.

Огонь правоты, справедливости,
Улыбок и ярких цветов,
Бессмертья огонь, добродушия
И вечной весны огонь.

From my understanding, Smantha was better known in the USSR, than in the USA – is it true? For example, my husband who is American knew nothing about her at all. Did you know about her in early 80s?

By the way, there was another girl, Katya Lycheva, who, I believe was a “soviet response to Samantha” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katya_Lycheva & http://beautifulrus.com/katya-lycheva-dove-peace/ Did you know about Katya? Was her trip to the USA covered by US media at all?

Regarding Smantha’s mom, I can only imagine what a tragedy it was for her to lose her daughter and her husband. Just please tell her that many Russians (I’m sure thousands, if not millions), myself including still remember Samantha and that her life had a big impact on their lives (at least on mine).

What a sweet poem! I love it. :)) No, I have not heard of Katya Lycheva and I didn't know about Samantha until my Russian friend told me. Katya was probably covered in the media, but back then I was younger and not so concerned with news or world affairs, so I don't recall her name. It's very tragic that this girl died so young. :(( But she leaves behind a very important and purposeful legacy, and accomplished something great in her short years on Earth. This is more than most people achieve.

Remembering Samantha Smith - Journey to Maine

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