Interview after interview

During the day, and in the evening before the party, I had interview after interview. First the famous cosmonaut, Gennadiy Strekalov, came to see me at the hotel. He has been in space five times and he is a great Russian hero. Very happily and proudly he offered me “The Heart of Russia Award.” In New York many years ago we played tennis together, so he challenged me to another match. I said, “I surrender, surrender, surrender!”

I also met the cosmonaut's wife, Lidia, for the first time. When she saw me, her heart melted immediately. She was full of joy, full of concern, full of kindness.

Then I spoke to Valentina, the wife of my dearest brother Alexandr Razvin, who passed away some time ago. She was talking to me with such affection, such affection! I told her that I could not find my invitation card. She said, “You will find it when you return from the party.” Her prophecy was right.