Nijolė Narmontaitė – about a very sensitive visit to the hospital in Gražinas Balandytė: I realized that this is the last meeting

“I could talk about it incessantly and without an advantage. In all the meetings when I go to the public, I spend a lot of my time at Gražina. I see that people are most impressed by their stories because they are incredibly colorful, playful. the books “What the public did not see”, which are theatrical. I told her: “You will be in all the books.” I called her my pet, she always called me “my maiden,” Nijole said sensitively.

The friend assures that when they communicate with G. Balandyte, everyone can feel encouraged.

“He was a man of great kindness, with a great heart. She appreciated her roots immensely. From her lips, the most beautiful memories of her mother, her neighbors when she was a child, whom she met, was the Miltiniai family. Communicating with her at her home or summer house in Palanga, or at the theater, even in the hospital, was a celebration.

We communicate very often in hospitals because she was very ill with her health for a long time. But she is so strong. I am convinced that while she has survived, someone else is different haircutHe certainly couldn’t have done it in years. He was in a good mood, he did not allow him to cry. He already felt so strong, but he was still full of optimism, he was a very brilliant person ”, repeated the interlocutor.

N. Narmontaitė says that Gražina’s health has been declining in recent years, but it has not yet broken down and has been dealt with positive thoughts. “She did not even allow herself to think about the disease. She wanted to live. No matter how difficult it was, she still attended all my celebrations. She was one of my favorite heroes,” says the writer.

Nijole’s last visit to the hospital will stay forever: it was a very delicate moment.

“After the last time I was with her, I cried from Kaunas to Vilnius. I realized that we said goodbye. She spoke very hard. I will never forget that moment. Rolling tears. She took my hand and said:” I love you “, and I also replied: “I love you, Gražinėle”.

When she told me on the phone that she was apparently busy, that I probably wouldn’t visit her again, that we probably wouldn’t see each other again, I quickly got in the car and immediately drove towards her. This time I realized that our real farewell had taken place, “said the actress’s friend, barely holding back her tears.

Gražina’s colleague and her long-time friend are losing their hearts, because losing her is extremely painful, as if she lost a family member.

“I have lost a great friend, a man with a big heart. Everything came back to me: my mother, my girlfriend and my colleague. I loved her madly and I loved her. I am very grateful to have had to accept that personality because he is a man of the capital letter. She was the joy of life. Many could learn from him how to live life, “said N. Narmontaitė.

The actress is convinced that if a person can be called a star, then Gražina was the first shine.

“She was very understanding, multifaceted, and whatever she did, she did everything perfectly. For example, she was an amazing chef, she ran culinary shows and did amazing cooking. She gave me her recipes, I have tried many. She taught me a lot in the kitchen, we talk about it quite often, “admitted the interlocutor.

When asked what is most stuck in his memory about Gražina, Nijole assures that it is impossible to point out one thing.

“When she was healthier, we talked almost every day. I only heard “my girl”: my heart was freezing. It seems it was like a balm for the heart. I will remember everything. I carry it through life like a textbook. I will remember her phrases, how she was called, how I entertained myself, how she helped me in the theater, how she advised me …

All his life he made surprises and celebrations for others. For example, she learns that some actresses do not receive flowers all the time. She orders a bouquet, writes a note “From the fan” and someone brings those flowers to the actress, “Nijole remembers Gražina’s indifference with a smile.

The woman says that she herself, inspired by the example of her friend, tried to encourage others.

“I tried to feast for her, at least in detail, when she was no longer on stage. It is said that theatrical flowers can be enjoyed with others, so the flowers I received after the presentation made me happy. It used to be that I was driving through a country from Klaipeda and I stopped in Gražina to give her flowers. I wanted her to feel like she was still an actress, ”she said.

Nijole remembers that even if he couldn’t visit Gražina on his birthday, he would still send flowers or gifts. And sometimes the surprises were even more fun.

“Once during his birthday, Gražina said to me, ‘You know, I cheated on all my friends. I told everyone that I was in Kaunas and all my friends by the sea, so I couldn’t go. And I really am right next to them, I am in Palanga. “Well, I think … But I did not give up and replied:” Oh, how unfortunate that you are far away, this time you will not be received. “And I really got on the car, I went to the market, bought flowers and flew to Palanga. I knock on the door: “Well, Gražinėl, how did you celebrate your birthday?” And she says: “Well, as I said, I cheated on all my friends, I was not greeted Then I told her to open the door. I remember her saying in surprise: “Oh you, protect, you abnormal! “And for me, a great joy. We hug, the dog next to the bark. These are wonderful moments,” recalls the interlocutor.

N. Narmonaitė assures that she could count on G. Balandytė’s “bushes” without stopping, she will always remember her friend and colleague with brilliant thoughts.

“On the day of her funeral, I have an event in Radviliškis, I think I will dedicate a large part to it. She would not let me cry. Gražina was a recipient of joy,” the actress gladly ended the conversation.

Delphi Remember that actress G. Balandyte’s farewell will take place at her beloved Kaunas National Drama Theater on July 29. 11am. at 9 p.m. and July 30. from 10 a.m. at 12 p.m.

The urn is removed at 12 noon. The actress will lie down in the Petrašiūnai cemetery. The will of loved ones is asked to honor a talented artist, a warm person, a personality with a ring of white flowers.