by Margaret Gelbwasser

…leaving Mother Russia

Both my mother and I were born in the former Soviet Union, but I came to America when I was three. She had just turned 31. How did she spend her thirtieth birthday? She applied for documents to leave a communist country and everything she ever knew. My thirtieth birthday I will spend partying at a Russian restaurant with my friends. At 30 she was leaving Russia behind, and I’ve finally come to terms with that part of myself and will be celebrating it.

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At 30…

The articles in this special section:

…t-shirts tor the generations

by Jordie Gerson

…becoming a pumpkin in Paris

by Emily Mazo

…sexy and funny

by Rachel Kranson

…leaving Mother Russia

by Margaret Gelbwasser

…remedial Girly Studies

by Lauren Antler

…no top-tier offspring—yet

by Raquel L. Lieberman

…William-Wants-a-Doll grew up

by Talia Cohen

…lesbian mom seeks spa

by Rabbi Amber Powers

…redefining modesty

by Janel Moses