[discmonkey]

My great-grandmother and grandfather were in Leningrad during the siege. My great-grandmother continued to teach throughout. At some point she was given the option to evacuate with my (very) young grandfather over the "road of life".

As my mother tells the story, my great grandmother had the choice of either taking a bus, or hanging on to the back of some delivery truck. She chose the truck. The bus broke through the ice and disappeared under the water.

It's strange to realize how close one can be to not being "here" and how history weaves its way through your blood and ends up on the front page of hackernews.

[pjc50]

Thanks for this personal story with the historical connection.

I would like to invite the audience to remember how many similar stories are being played out in the present day.