Fare Thee Well, Baba

My Dear Ones,

Say fare thee well to Baba, the last Hutsulka from Zhabie, the Black Mountains in the Ukraine, born January 27, 1923.

Beau and I are in Arizona. We were told she was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Tennessee. One day later, with Leilah by her side, her signs of life ended and we got that awful late-night call.

Leilah heard her say, “It’s okay, my love luv”...and that she heard “the flautka.”

In those moments, right before she passed, we were in fact praying and Beau was playing the flautka for Baba ~ she heard all that distance away.

She was about to be 89, although she told us she was going to be a hundred. It’s been that way for the last few years, “I ‘fraid, next year I a hundred.”

At the hospital she asked, “Am I going to go home now?”

Yes, Baba, you’re going home.

Love,
Melanie

Jan 15, 2012 3 comments Share

Leave Comment:

Rest in peace Baba Paraska. You are now with your husband and son and the ones you missed from the old country. I know you are home and roaming the mountains of Zhabie.

Love your friend from Europe, Wilma

by Wilma (Jan 16, 2012)

I spent many many days with Paraska when I was a child in Philly. Then my mom and I spent time with them in AC and NY....We lived with them when we first came to America. Peter was crazy about his music even then when he was a teenager. She will be missed by all, especially the Hutsuls! Rest in Peace Paraska

by Maria Zin (Feb 21, 2012)

I am sorry to read of your Baba's passing. My Mama was born on October 7, 1923 in Dnieproderzhinsk. She lives with me now and every day, every day...BTW, I was sorry to miss your Woodstock performance. As it was happening I was in Plast camp in East Chatham, and couldn't figure out a way to sneak out for a few days...

I was 13 years old then.But your art entered my heart, ("She's one of US!!! At WOODSTOCK!!!!" ), I wore out your records on my turntable. Thank you for what you did and for what you do. z lyubovyu y podyaky

by Vera (Mar 3, 2012)

Please log-in or register to have your photo appear beside your comment.

Melanie's archived "Roadburn Cafe" journal entries (2008 - 2010)