In this episode, I interview my mother, Dinna, about her childhood in post-war Gomel, Belarus. She shares memories of growing up in a multi-generational home, the hardships of Soviet life, and the simple joys of childhood, including friendships and family traditions. She reflects on her love for books, the rigid Soviet education system, and the experience of starting school a year late. The conversation turns to her first school dance, where a shy classmate worked up the courage to ask her to dance. We wrap up with a look ahead to her high school years in a future episode.