I dedicate this to my grandparents Nada and Mile, to the memory of them, and to my own memories that remain here.
Before dinner I would sit in the backyard of the house with my grandma. On that day, we were cleaning the mussels that we had brought back from the sea. I remember that I hated the texture of the mussels, and I still do.
But I remember I loved this time with her, she would always tell a story or sing a song while we were sitting there together.
To my mom:

All I know of this place are the ruins left after the war and the way everyone is rebuilding their lives in the village. I know my story and how we would play pretend in the abandoned houses . I would love to know your stories from here too, how it was for you growing up, and what life felt like here before.
I know there were many members of the family living in the house while my mom was growing up, about eleven of them. She told me some parts of the story of their life there, how much she loved that they had their own gardens with food, and the feeling of having everything she needed in one place. I think she still feels that way and visits the house often. She grew up by the sea, and I know the sea will always bring her great comfort.