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Role of Fathers

Leo Terrell, (an American attorney) emphasized the importance of father in a family unit to young boys as well as girls. Truly, Mr. Torrells’ statements ring overwhelmingly true. All children need parents or caring and responsible person to emulate. The best scenario is having father and mother in a home.

When boys resort to unacceptable behavior, it usually stems from lack of guidance from parents. Sometimes the circumstances dictate the absence of father; in that case, a male father figure can make positive influence by providing guidance. Our two cousins Nikolajs Pricinovskis and Igors Pricinovskis, their fathers were brothers married to our fathers’ sisters.

When both boys were very young, during Soviet Communist occupation of Latvia in 1940s. Many of our family members were forced to flee from our homes when Soviet Communists reinvaded Latvia in 1944. Since we were located in most Eastern part of Latvia, we traversed through Latvia with Soviet army at our heels with bombs exploding, sirens wailing while we had to seek shelter.

At last, we arrived in Liepaja, a port city in Latvia with warm current. In January1944, we were able to travel by sea to Germany on a last ship that left Latvia and was able to reach Germany. Soviet army overran all of Latvia and instituted Communist government not by choice but by force. Our aunts Anastasia and Anna Pricinovskis along with their mother-in- law Tatjana, managed to keep their family together. Aunt Anastasias’ son -in -law Ivans Kuznins, who was married to Ekaterina Anastasias’ daughter, helped to keep the family afloat.

Our father Aleksejs Dimitrijevs (a brother to the above sisters) became father figure to the two young boys. Since Aleksejs was the boys godfather, both of the boys called his father. Soviet Communists occupied Latvia for 50 years.

Part of our shattered family and families of our relatives were fortunate enough to come to wonderful country called The United States. All of us earned our citizenship expeditiously. Our father Aleksejs served as a surrogate father to the two young boys, Nikolajs and Igors. Ivans Kuzmins also helped the boys during their formative years.

Both grew up to become successful and productive people.

Nikilajs served in United States Army Nikolas died in 2012. His widow Maria and son Alex survive him as well as daughter Tatjana and greandaughter. Nikolajs would have been ever so proud of his son Alex, who now is a lawyer. Igors is retired and lives with his wife Natalia.

As Leo Terrell stated that lives of fatherless young boys if they have a father figure to guide them and caring mothers who look after them, no matter what circumstances they may be in, successful lives are possible.

Val Hoover

Marietta

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