Alvina Gyulumyan is My Aunt: I Felt Guilty While Promoting the 'YES' Vote in the Referendum

Etchmiadzin's Mayor Diana Gasparyan writes on her Facebook page: “Judge Alvina Gyulumyan is my aunt, whom I love with a unique, silent, even slightly shy love. She has inspired a kind of special reverence in me throughout my life, which I have always shied away from. Whenever I speak with her, I feel insecure about my knowledge and intellect, secretly admiring her. At the same time, I have always known that she can read my soul like an open book, knows a lot but speaks little, because that is who she is: restrained, perceptive, and exceptionally wise.

She has had the greatest impact on my decision to choose my profession, yet in that respect, I have, of course, never managed to reach the heights she has achieved. I never would have thought that life would turn out in such a way that one day we would be on opposite poles over any issue, but even when that happened, Ms. Gyulumyan did not betray her style, her humanity, and her empathy.

Once, during a time when I was campaigning for the 'YES' vote in the referendum, which would result in my aunt retiring, I felt guilty and strained. However, I did not see even a hint of accusation or displeasure in her; rather, her gaze read, 'My dear (she often addresses me this way), you are doing what you believe in or what you must, don't be upset.'

One of the most challenging choices is that between duty and love, but I believe it is at least possible to attempt to balance instead of making a choice. Do I have disagreements with Alvina Gyulumyan? YES. Do I love and respect her any less? NO. Would I wish for everything to turn out differently? OF COURSE. In this situation, do I stop being proud to have such an aunt? NEVER. Should I always stay true to my principles? ALWAYS. Should I also respect the principles of others? CERTAINLY.

Perhaps to summarize my long and emotional text, I would say that everything in life is transient, while family is eternal. It is a place to which you always return after successes and failures. Alvina Gyulumyan is one of my most beloved family members, and I could write endlessly about her humanity.

P.S. I ask my political opponents or critics not to try to distort the essence of my message and use it against me; I have spoken about human values, not political categories.

P.S.S. I kindly ask journalists not to craft my post with a sensational headline for the reasons mentioned above.

P.S.S.S. I will delete any indecent or offensive comments.