MY HERO
REMEMBER, YOU ARE A REMINDER OF A DREAM YOUR FAMILY HELD
Olena Kostiw with her daughter Oksana and her newborn son Justin, in 1980.
By NATALIA KOSTIW
I am writing this as a tribute to my mom, Olena Kostiw, who passed away on January 16, 1982, of a massive heart attack at the age of 60.
She has been gone now for 41 years and yet, I miss her dearly. My mom immigrated from Ukraine to Canada just after World War II.
Hers was the typical story of a young single newcomer who arrived in Canada without knowing the language, with no money, and with no family or friends. With her strength, her courage, her relentless love, her wisdom, she made a life for herself; she also created a life for me and my two sisters and a brother.
My mother is my hero! She lived a very humble and minimalistic life.
She cooked and cleaned for her four children and my Dad. She worked at a factory for 10 hours a day. Life was not easy.
Her world revolved around working for her family and the church. She sacrificed her life for her family.
My mom was over-worked and over-stressed, and that took its toll. I was 19 years old when I lost her.
If only I understood the sacrifices she had made then, to give me the life of comfort I live today.
This year, 2023, I will be the same age as when my mother passed away.
I am forever indebted to her. She always did her best to make me feel loved and cared for.
She couldn’t afford the lifestyle of other families on the street. We didn’t have the luxury to be driven to hockey or skiing or other activities. We didn’t take any trips to Disney World or other holiday vacations spots.
What she did, was sacrifice everything and anything for her family, for her children. Every penny she saved was for her children’s well-being. Every moment she had, she would cater to us.
The endless selfless choices that she made allowed me to have an education, and a comfortable lifestyle today. It is my mom’s altruistic ways that have now paved the path for me, my sons and perhaps their child-ren’s children someday.
Canada is a country made up of Indigenous Peoples and immigrants. If you’re a first, second, third or fourth generation Canadian, remember, someone in your past family line endured and you are the beneficiary of an extraordinary display of courage and fortitude. Be proud of your blood line and your immigrant family background for they have sacrificed and created a better life for you. You are a reminder of a dream your family held, a pursuit they endured and an extraordinary show of courageousness. Be proud to be the daughter/son or grandson /granddaughter of immigrants. Be reflective of the sacrifices they made for you to be living in Ca-nada today.
Natalia with her older brother Tarac and older sister Lesia in the 1960s. Likely in the backyard of the family’s home in Saskatoon.
My hero is my mom. She will live forever in my heart. She sacrificed her life for me.
Her courageousness, her all-enveloping love will live within me forever.
Thank you for my life, Mama. I am so proud to be the first generation Ukrainian-Canadian daughter of Olena Kostiw.
• Natalia Kostiw is an educator with many years of experience teaching at TDSB, community colleges and overseas. She volunteers her time to teach in under-serviced areas of the world and has requested that teachers interested in information regarding mentoring and volunteer opportunities contact her directly nkostiw@rogers.com.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
Desi News invites you to share your (unpublished) story about your family and people in your own circle – who raised you, or mentored you to be the successful person you are today. An individual who helped you thrive and reach the place where you are in today. Your personal hero! Email your story (up to 500 words) to desinews@rogers.com with subject line My Story. We will publish them in an upcoming issue of Desi News (print and online).