December 27, 1919
The weather was cold, and the sky was black. It was hard to get warm, but on that day, a man came to town. It was as if the sun had risen; suddenly, the sky turned blue, and the air felt warmer. He was a symbol of hope.
When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk first arrived, everyone was in awe—his way of dressing, his stance, his presence. He was a reason to believe in a brighter future again. After a while, he made eye contact with me and walked closer. He asked, “What do you need? I’m here to help you.”
I was so happy that I couldn’t control myself—I hugged him tightly. I replied, “Mr. Atatürk, I need bread and milk.” He took some bread and milk from his horse-drawn carriage and handed them to me. My joy was indescribable; I thought, Finally, someone who can save us.
There was an old man in our town who had never smiled, but that day, I saw him smiling. It felt like a miracle. After years of despair, our town began to hope again.
On that day, Ankara welcomed the savior of Türkiye. For the first time, we felt safe. It was the best feeling ever.
Thank you, Atatürk.