Ashkhen Margaryan, 32 years old
Blockade... The soul aches even at the mere mention of the word blockade. I don't want to list the feelings, deprivations, and worries that I, a mother of three children, felt, whose youngest was only 20 days old when it began.
My Nare was born on September 2, 2019, turning that day for us into a triple celebration: the day of the proclamation of the Republic of Artsakh, the day of our wedding, and the birth of my firstborn. We had no idea that we would celebrate this triple holiday only 4 years and celebrated it last year in a big way.
My Monte was born on September 22, 2022. When we found out we were having a boy, my husband and I decided to name him after a hero, to raise and educate him as a hero, like Monte Melkonian. It was November 25 when we brought Monte home from the maternity ward. We were living in Martakert at the time. All the cars on the road were giving us some signal. It turned out that the road had been shelled just a few minutes earlier. A period full of trials began, from which we had to emerge with honor. Monte was only 20 days old when the siege began. My baby started overcoming life's difficulties.
My children had a very similar childhood. They were almost the same age when we left our home because of the last two wars. Both of my children took their first steps in a strange, non-parental home. We rejoiced in their first steps under someone else's roof, not under the roof of our own home.It was on what seemed like a peaceful morning on September 19, 2023. Nare was 4 years old, and Monte was 9 months old. I was at home with the children, and my husband Vano was an officer in the defense army, where he was called early in the morning.
During the day, I heard the sounds of explosions and immediately called my husband to find out what was happening. He reassured me, saying that everything was fine, that he would clarify and if there was any danger, he would warn me so that I could take the children downstairs. In our case, the basement was relatively safe because it had windows. Since it was semi-dark there, I convinced myself that we would be safer there. The next second, the explosions became so intense that I took the children and went downstairs, staying there all day. On the next day, September 20, at noon, a ceasefire was announced. We decided to go to Stepanakert because the information was very contradictory.
Moments stretched like years, taking away life. I don't know how to describe the feeling when your years, your memories are packed into a suitcase. At that moment, I only thought about taking what I wouldn't part with for any amount of money: the tags for newborns from the maternity ward. My life, my years, my memories - all of this fit in one suitcase, to warm me and my frozen soul with its flame and warmth. Alas...
Ashkhen Margaryan, 32 years old
Blockade... The soul aches even at the mere mention of the word blockade. I don't want to list the feelings, deprivations, and worries that I, a mother of three children, felt, whose youngest was only 20 days old when it began.
My Nare was born on September 2, 2019, turning that day for us into a triple celebration: the day of the proclamation of the Republic of Artsakh, the day of our wedding, and the birth of my firstborn. We had no idea that we would celebrate this triple holiday only 4 years and celebrated it last year in a big way.
My Monte was born on September 22, 2022. When we found out we were having a boy, my husband and I decided to name him after a hero, to raise and educate him as a hero, like Monte Melkonian. It was November 25 when we brought Monte home from the maternity ward. We were living in Martakert at the time. All the cars on the road were giving us some signal. It turned out that the road had been shelled just a few minutes earlier. A period full of trials began, from which we had to emerge with honor. Monte was only 20 days old when the siege began. My baby started overcoming life's difficulties.
My children had a very similar childhood. They were almost the same age when we left our home because of the last two wars. Both of my children took their first steps in a strange, non-parental home. We rejoiced in their first steps under someone else's roof, not under the roof of our own home.It was on what seemed like a peaceful morning on September 19, 2023. Nare was 4 years old, and Monte was 9 months old. I was at home with the children, and my husband Vano was an officer in the defense army, where he was called early in the morning.
During the day, I heard the sounds of explosions and immediately called my husband to find out what was happening. He reassured me, saying that everything was fine, that he would clarify and if there was any danger, he would warn me so that I could take the children downstairs. In our case, the basement was relatively safe because it had windows. Since it was semi-dark there, I convinced myself that we would be safer there. The next second, the explosions became so intense that I took the children and went downstairs, staying there all day. On the next day, September 20, at noon, a ceasefire was announced. We decided to go to Stepanakert because the information was very contradictory.
Moments stretched like years, taking away life. I don't know how to describe the feeling when your years, your memories are packed into a suitcase. At that moment, I only thought about taking what I wouldn't part with for any amount of money: the tags for newborns from the maternity ward. My life, my years, my memories - all of this fit in one suitcase, to warm me and my frozen soul with its flame and warmth. Alas...
