Two forces shaped the person I am today: my mother, Sona, and my motherland.
My mother was the embodiment of selflessness and resilience. She raised me with unwavering love and a profound respect for the values that define us. Among the greatest lessons she taught me was the importance of preserving the Armenian language. “Speaking Armenian is not just about words,” she would say, “it’s about carrying our heritage, identity and pride.” It was through her that I learned that every syllable spoken in Armenian is a connection to the past and a promise to the future.
She made sure I understood that our heritage was sacred, and her passion for it was contagious. Whether it was in the stories she told me about our history or the way she encouraged me to embrace traditions, she nurtured my sense of cultural pride. She would always remind me to be thankful for our roots and the strength they provide, no matter where life takes us.
After her passing this July, following a long and private battle with cancer, returning to Armenia was both heartwarming and bittersweet. The land, which had always been a place of comfort and belonging, now carried a deep sense of her absence. Yet, in its quiet beauty, I felt her presence — in the way Ararat stood tall and unyielding, in the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze in front of Cascade and in the warmth of the sun staring at Mayr Hayastan. Though she was no longer physically there, her spirit seemed to surround me, as if reminding me that the love and values she instilled will forever remain a part of me.
My mother’s strength was her gift to me. She taught me to find resilience in challenges, to hold onto gratitude even in sorrow, and to cherish the connections that make life meaningful. Though I miss her voice, her laughter and her steady presence, I find comfort in the knowledge that she lives on in the traditions I continue, the values I hold and the language I speak.
Standing in Armenia, I felt the profound gratitude my mom instilled in me. Gratitude for her guidance, her sacrifices and her boundless love. Gratitude for the way she taught me to honor our culture and for the pride she nurtured in me. Though the motherland will never feel the same without her, it remains a place where her spirit is alive, where her lessons are etched into every memory I carry.
In her life, my mother was a constant source of strength and love, a reminder of what it means to be rooted yet open to growth. Now, as I carry her legacy forward, I hold onto the gratitude she taught me — to cherish the blessings of family, heritage and the deep connections that shape who we are. For my mother and for all she gave me, I am eternally thankful.
Sanan Malkadjian
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Beautiful!✨️💙🙏
Beautifully written, Dear Sanan. 🙏🏼♥️
Sanan, this is a great tribute to your wonderful mom. She’s looking down proudly in approval.
Keep up your commitment to that which she instilled in you
This is just beautiful 💙