Ingratitude in gratitude

 As a teacher at school sometimes I am given tasks that do not correlate with my job at all. I was asked to visit seven elderly teachers, war veterans, to present them medals commemorating 80 years after Tula's defence.

People do not open doors to strangers nowadays. Especially such defenceless ones as our Russian pensioners. It was a strange feeling to knock the door hearing a person from the other side looking at you with suspicion and fear. In modern world, when people try to build a global friendly society on mutual trust, there are tons of outcasts who wanna take advantage of it. Fraud is a common problem in Russia which exists online and offline. That's why I also do not open the doors to unknown people.

But when you find yourself standing at the door, even with a good purpose, and knocking.... I felt miserable because of such an evident mistrust.

Another thought that came into my mind is the way our government tries to say 'thank you'. A medal worth 100 rubles max to people who taught the whole generation during hard war and postwar times. Russian political, educational, religion system are rotting from within. If you looked at the photos of the school I worked at, you would be shocked. Salaries and pension are so low that it is almost impossible to buy a property, travel and even afford yourself quility things.

I love my country but I the way it exists nowadays.