companion/playmate.
30 . Valentina Ivanovna Chebotareva.
1917
I n 1917, as in the previous war years, Russia was still deeply and disastrously involved in World War I. This year, however, would mark an incredible change for Olga and her family. Due to his poor leadership, her father was forced to abdicate his throne, ending over three hundred years of Romanov rule. Europe's last absolute autocrat finally fell and Olga was, at least in theory, no longer a Grand Duchess but a Russian citizen. At the same time, she, along with her siblings, came down with the measles and all were forced to shave their heads. The timing of the illness caused her family to remain in Tsarskoe Selo, which led to them getting arrested by the revolutionaries—which sealed their fate. In mid-March, Olga penned her final diary entry. There is no explanation to the abrupt ending of many years of recording her daily events and thoughts. Why she stopped on that particular day will perhaps remain a mystery, but it does coincide with the forced abdication of her father on March 15.
—
Year 1917
Sunday. 1st January.
At 10 1/2 we 4 with Papa to obednya . Al.[eksei] is getting better, took a walk with us and had breakfast. Mama as usual, [was] on the couch. Around 2 we 3 went to take a walk with Papa. At 3 o'clock we 2 rode to the infirmary. Stayed there until almost 7 o'clock. We have 12 new [patients], including critical. In the evening Papa read Chekhov to us, a short story “ Knyaginya ” [“The Duchess”]. At 11 to bed. Help us, Holy Father in the New Year.
Thursday. 5th January.
We 2 at the infirmary until 11 1/2. Volga is ill. Sister [nurse] Shevchuk substituted for her, and I assisted. Made up the beds and changed dressings of the wounded, etc., wrote. After that, to church, the sisters and Papa were already there. Mama [came] later. She doesn't feel well. Ate all together. Sat at home, then at Mama's. Anya dictated and I wrote down Father Grigori's letters. Did not go to vsenoshnaya . After dinner, until 9 1/2, after Papa went to say goodnight to Al. he played various church music on the piano, same as yesterday. In the evening [he] finished [reading] the short story “Guseva” [to us]. Anya came over. To bed at 11 o'clock.
Saturday. 7th January.
We 2 rode around with Nastenka, 5 deg. of frost. In the morning the sun is bright and [there is a] rainbow. Fredericks had tea. All conversation is difficult. Sat at Anya's with Lili. She lay down, high T°. Didn't go to vsenoshnaya . Mama feels dreadful. She is so tired. Lord save her. Later Al. went to Anya's with Mama. She feels just dreadful. 1
Monday. 9th January.
To Znamenie and we 2 to the infirmary. Volga wasn't there and the two of us, Rita and I, substituted. Made up the beds, distributed medicines, changed dressings for the wounded, etc. During the day we 4 rode in the troika 2 with Isa. 3 deg. [of] frost. In the morning lots of snow. Mama was lying on the balcony. [We] were preparing for the Romanian ceremony and that made me angry. The ceremony was successful, [I] sat between Papa and Uncle Mimi. Mama was tired of course, but looked very beautiful in a black and white scarf with adiamond strip in her hair. At 10 o'clock everything was over. Papa read to us, Chekhov's “Ved'ma” [The Witch] and “V Sud” [To the Court of Law].
Tuesday. 10th January.
We 2 with Mama went to visit the grave of Father Grigori. 3 Today is his name day. Had a music lesson with T. In the evening Papa read to us, Chekhov's “Sobytie” [The Incident] and started “Vragi” [The Enemy].
Sunday. 15th January.
During the day 4 deg. frost. We 4 with Papa to obednya . After dinner went to Anya's where [we] sat in the drawing room by the fireplace, etc.
Tuesday. 17th January.
We 2 to Znamenie and to the infirmary. Kamenetsky's appendicitis surgery lasted for a long time. Karol of Rumania had breakfast with us and during the day [we] walked with him and Papa. Uncle Mimi 4 had dinner. Left at 10
30 . Valentina Ivanovna Chebotareva.
1917
I n 1917, as in the previous war years, Russia was still deeply and disastrously involved in World War I. This year, however, would mark an incredible change for Olga and her family. Due to his poor leadership, her father was forced to abdicate his throne, ending over three hundred years of Romanov rule. Europe's last absolute autocrat finally fell and Olga was, at least in theory, no longer a Grand Duchess but a Russian citizen. At the same time, she, along with her siblings, came down with the measles and all were forced to shave their heads. The timing of the illness caused her family to remain in Tsarskoe Selo, which led to them getting arrested by the revolutionaries—which sealed their fate. In mid-March, Olga penned her final diary entry. There is no explanation to the abrupt ending of many years of recording her daily events and thoughts. Why she stopped on that particular day will perhaps remain a mystery, but it does coincide with the forced abdication of her father on March 15.
—
Year 1917
Sunday. 1st January.
At 10 1/2 we 4 with Papa to obednya . Al.[eksei] is getting better, took a walk with us and had breakfast. Mama as usual, [was] on the couch. Around 2 we 3 went to take a walk with Papa. At 3 o'clock we 2 rode to the infirmary. Stayed there until almost 7 o'clock. We have 12 new [patients], including critical. In the evening Papa read Chekhov to us, a short story “ Knyaginya ” [“The Duchess”]. At 11 to bed. Help us, Holy Father in the New Year.
Thursday. 5th January.
We 2 at the infirmary until 11 1/2. Volga is ill. Sister [nurse] Shevchuk substituted for her, and I assisted. Made up the beds and changed dressings of the wounded, etc., wrote. After that, to church, the sisters and Papa were already there. Mama [came] later. She doesn't feel well. Ate all together. Sat at home, then at Mama's. Anya dictated and I wrote down Father Grigori's letters. Did not go to vsenoshnaya . After dinner, until 9 1/2, after Papa went to say goodnight to Al. he played various church music on the piano, same as yesterday. In the evening [he] finished [reading] the short story “Guseva” [to us]. Anya came over. To bed at 11 o'clock.
Saturday. 7th January.
We 2 rode around with Nastenka, 5 deg. of frost. In the morning the sun is bright and [there is a] rainbow. Fredericks had tea. All conversation is difficult. Sat at Anya's with Lili. She lay down, high T°. Didn't go to vsenoshnaya . Mama feels dreadful. She is so tired. Lord save her. Later Al. went to Anya's with Mama. She feels just dreadful. 1
Monday. 9th January.
To Znamenie and we 2 to the infirmary. Volga wasn't there and the two of us, Rita and I, substituted. Made up the beds, distributed medicines, changed dressings for the wounded, etc. During the day we 4 rode in the troika 2 with Isa. 3 deg. [of] frost. In the morning lots of snow. Mama was lying on the balcony. [We] were preparing for the Romanian ceremony and that made me angry. The ceremony was successful, [I] sat between Papa and Uncle Mimi. Mama was tired of course, but looked very beautiful in a black and white scarf with adiamond strip in her hair. At 10 o'clock everything was over. Papa read to us, Chekhov's “Ved'ma” [The Witch] and “V Sud” [To the Court of Law].
Tuesday. 10th January.
We 2 with Mama went to visit the grave of Father Grigori. 3 Today is his name day. Had a music lesson with T. In the evening Papa read to us, Chekhov's “Sobytie” [The Incident] and started “Vragi” [The Enemy].
Sunday. 15th January.
During the day 4 deg. frost. We 4 with Papa to obednya . After dinner went to Anya's where [we] sat in the drawing room by the fireplace, etc.
Tuesday. 17th January.
We 2 to Znamenie and to the infirmary. Kamenetsky's appendicitis surgery lasted for a long time. Karol of Rumania had breakfast with us and during the day [we] walked with him and Papa. Uncle Mimi 4 had dinner. Left at 10
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