This special lady, who will be 90 years old any day now, is at home in the village of Ropoča in Prekmurje. She has lived her whole life on a small hill by the forest.
My mother Dragica and I sit at the kitchen table and talk while we wait for her to arrive. »Ever since I came to this farm, we've been hanging out, helping each other and getting along. Even as a child, Kristina used to come here to get a treat, a piece of clothing or something. Whenever we needed help on the farm, we could always count on her, because she was always ready to help,« explains my mother with an expression of gratitude.
At that moment, someone knocks on the door, and with a loud »good afternoon«, my mother and I immediately realise that it is our neighbour. With a stride that was enviably fast for her 90 years, she came to us and sat down at the table, where the home-made cakes prepared by Sister Sabina were already waiting for her. She immediately spoke to me, before I could ask her how things were today. She said that she had come on foot and that she felt great because she had had a good rest.
»I walked slowly through the forest, taking a little rest on a tree stump in between,« explains Kristina. »I looked around a bit for more porcini and chestnuts, but no luck with that today. Maybe another time.«
I told her that I would write a story about her today and asked her to tell me the story of how she solved the situation in the kitchen at Dragica's.
»Yes, it was one day. I don't remember how many years ago, but I know it was dewy outside, so I was going to go inside. I was in the garden when Dragica's husband, Tonek, came up to me, completely disturbed. He said that his wife had become ill and could not finish cooking lunch for the guests at the agritourism. He asked me if I could help. Of course, I did not hesitate a bit. I took my cardigan and went with Tonek. There, I put on my apron, used all my skills and knowledge and cooked the best turnip casserole of my life, which the guests were also pleased with, which made me the happiest. Dragica recovered within a few hours, so everything worked out well in the end,« says Kristina.
There is nothing more to add to this story. It tells us all about the warm-heartedness and the value of mutual help that this neighbour has in abundance, and lives it. I ask her, however, how it is that she is always ready to help.
She takes a deep breath and, after a short reflection, begins to tell us: »I have had many trials in my life, both with my health and with saying goodbye to some beloved family members much too soon. My daughter, who was only a few years old, died of drowning, and my husband also said goodbye much too soon because of illness.
Since I was a child, I have had to work a lot. Even as a young girl, I had to do hard physical or. male works. But that's the way it was. Our parents instilled work habits in us from childhood and there was no question of disobeying them because if you wanted to eat, you had to work. My parents also taught us to help others, and I have always stuck to that. I was happy to be in the company of people and to be in contact with them and to chat with them and to be happy. After that, everything went more smoothly. I guess that is what gave me strength and hope for the future. Even today, I still ask Dragica when we are going to do something. And so, not long ago, we were harvesting seeds from pumpkins and sorting potatoes and plums.«
She and her mother flirt, laugh and conclude that they can't work as much as they used to, but that every job counts. Mum adds that I absolutely have to write that Kristina is the best neighbour, that she should stay that way and that everyone loves her in turn. She also tells her to continue to visit regularly for company and a chat. Kristina smiles cheerfully again and says: »If God gives me good health, of course I will keep coming.«
Jožica Kous, 27. 11. 2025
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