SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

But recently we celebrated a birthday and we inadvertently got talking about parents. Mrs. Nana fired Like a cannonball: »No one had a mother like mine!«

I became very attentive to her words, as she began to speak about her with such respect: »I grew up between two houses. Four flats, four families, and one big shared yard. On days off – Sundays and holidays – we would always have coffee together, most often brewed by my mother. She'd also serve some cake and good cheer. She knew how to make everyone around her happy and make them laugh.". 

At home, lunch was always waiting for me, as was a tidy flat and her smile. She never got angry with me, she never accused me of anything. When my father died and she was left alone, she talked to me a lot. She was extremely happy if, out of gratitude for her kindness, I took her to the seaside. When we sat by the coast, she would watch the sea and the gulls like a child. She would smile with joy and didn't hide the fact of how happy she was to live here and belong to this land.«

I listened to her and thought about people who can be happy and enjoy the little things, rejoice in small joys and share them with loved ones.

As if reading my thoughts, Mrs. Nana continued: »If it happened that someone didn't come for coffee, she would go straight to their home, ring the bell, and check if everything was alright.". 

,What if he got ill? Who would help him if not us, the neighbours? We live together because, Can we help each other?, How many of us need Help, and in this lies our strength.’«

I got angry because this is a life truth.

»You know what I remember most? Her kindness and the help she gave to her neighbours. Years ago, when there was no central heating, we all used to heat our homes with stoves and ovens. When any of the neighbours got coal, they would always tip it into a pile in the middle of the yard. My mum looked at this pile and said: '" ,Come on, ’Let's go and help.« She called all the neighbours, lent them shovels, and together we carried the coal into the cellar. In a few hours it was all tidied up, and the yard was swept.'

»Was it the same when you got it?« I was interested.

»Yes, others helped us too. All the years we burned that way.«

I was thinking that it was similar here too. With coal; not with neighbours and their help. Here, my brother and I tackled this job ourselves, but we didn't complain. We tidied the coal as if playing, and even had fun and laughed while we worked.

After a while, Nana continued: »I also have to tell you about an event that will stay with me for the rest of my life. We were in the yard. A young lad walked past. He went up to my mum and asked her for money. 

,’I want to go home to Bosnia. I will return them to you," he said. 

Her mother looked at her, turned around, and went to get the money. Her father warned her not to do it, saying she wouldn't get the money back. 

Mum gave him money and said to his father: ‘Even if he doesn't return it, at least I've done a good deed.’ And her good deeds were many. The memory of her is so warm, her teaching Help where you can, because everything comes back in life. All good things come back with interest, which is why I live such a peaceful and happy life., Pa is still current.«

Darinka Kobal, 10 March 2026