Earlier today I recieved the following message from my father. The majority of the people I know on here probably didn't know me back when Polina was staying as my families exchange student, but my assitance has been requested, and I always do my best to deliver.

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December 2 this year will be the first anniversary of Polina's death and I would like your help with a gift for her mother, Tatiana, which I hope to give her on or near that date.

My intention is to assemble a collection of memories from people who knew Polina when she was in America. From you, I would like a short message about Polina's place in your life.

I hope to get a variety of messages—from as short as one paragraph to as long as two or three pages. Content may be as simple as a particular event you shared with Polina or as complex as a recollection of what Polina's friendship has meant to your life. Use your imagination—it can be fun or serious; whatever you'd like to say that will allow Tatiana to see some of the positive influence Polina had on us.

Each message should have just one central theme or event. If you would like to include more than one message, feel free to do so. (For example, if you want to write about a particular event and about what Polina's friendship has meant to you, do so in two separate messages. Don't try to fit one within the other unless it helps to emphasize the meaning of the latter.)

If you have a photo or two associated with your memory, please send them to me, as well. Also, a recent photo of yourself would make this even more personal.

Although December is several months away, I expect that it will take me some time to assemble everything into a tasteful collection. If possible, please send your message to me this summer. If you want to contribute, but are unable to do so before summer's end, please send me a short note so that I know to expect something from you and tell me when I can expect it.

Along with your recollections, please tell me how you would like your name to appear in the collection. If you'd like to include an address (e-mail or postal) in the collection, please include that, too.

Finally, if you know anyone elso who could contribute to this gift, please forward this message to them.

Thank you,
Steve Malerich
sfmalerich@q.com