I would like to tell you the story about my favorite gift. It was 55 years ago, when I was a child, eleven years old. My family lived in the small town where there wasn't public transportation, theaters, museums, etc.

Once my dad came home after work and told me" Tomorrow, I'm going to Moscow on business. Go with me! You have winter vacation now, very soon it will be your birthday and this trip to Moscow will be the best gift for you! Let's go!" I was happy. I took my breath.

Moscow is the capital of Russia (before the Soviet Union) Moscow was founded abut 800 years ago (now 850!). I saw the Kremlin which was the witness of countless events in Russian history. It is a huge complex covering about 69 acres. I saw the Red Square with the extraordinary St Basil's Cathedral. I was impressed by the remarkable subway system, richly adorned with marble, glass and different kinds of Mosaic. My dad showed me the Gorky Park with many attractions. He told me about the famous Bolshoi Theater and we watched a ballet written by the genius Russian composer P Chaykovkay "Swan Lake" The banks of the Moscow River, Historical Museum, Art Galleries, Lomonosov's university are so beautiful. Skyscrapers, metro, huge shops, overcrowded streets . . . . especially the Arbat. It was the favorite street of the 19th century aristocrats and of the 20th century intellectuals. My feelings, my emotions were overwhelmed!

I save in my memory this precious gift from my Dad, because it was the most memorable gift in my life. . . . 20 years later in order to keep this tradition I took my older daughter to Moscow. And then 10 years after that I brought my younger one there. I wanted them to have as memorable gift as I got from my Dad.

About the Author

Yevgeniya Vaysband, author of “My Favorite Gift”, lives in Ashland and studies English in Framingham Adult ESL Plus.

“I'm from Russia. I'm 67 years old and I'm retired. I have worked in Russia as a doctor - ophthalmologist for 3 years."