MIRA N. MATARIC is a native of Novi Sad, resident of Beograd (Yugoslavia), Kansas and California (USA), consecutively. With a M.A and a Ph.D. in languages and world literature, Mira has traveled extensively, always interested in studying diverse cultures, their literature, music, art and philosophy.
An avid reader since age 6, writer of poetry (age 13) and prose (age 18), she started publishing her poetry, short stories, translations (Serbo-Croatian and English), essays and travelogues since college age. Her poetry, short stories, essays and critiques, as well as translations of American, English, Irish, Indian and other modern poets and writers were published in Yugoslavia during 1960-80's. Mira was a librarian of the National Library of Serbia and taught English at the University of Beograd, actively freelancing as a writer, translator and interpreter.
In the USA since 1981, Mira taught college English, Russian, and Special Education. She is still actively writing poetry, short stories, editing a literary magazine and volunteer teaching creative writing to youth, physically handicapped and senior citizens.
LOVE AFFAIR WITH LIFE is a collection of memoirs covering three generations in Serbia (war and peace intermittently). It also includes fiction: short stories dealing with a variety of love relationships from youth to mature age.
To all of those who touched my life with love and enlightenment, I am forever indebted. You are in this book and in my heart. To my parents: Milica and Nikola, my brother Milan, and my daughter Maja, love and gratitude.
There are many people who deserve and have my gratitude for this book and for having directed me toward the fascinating world of reading and writing since my early childhood.
First, my parents. My father, Nikola Radovanov, who read voraciously and whom I remember forever enthusiastically quoting, reciting, and sharing a wise thought, a beautiful poem, story from the Greek mythology or a Serbian folk song. My mother Milica, a natural pedagogue, always encouraging education, enlightenment, and excellence. With her unsurpassed capacity for love, she created a beautiful world for me; with her folk wisdom and biblical verses, she offered food for thought and guidance throughout my whole life. My "big brother," Milan, a reader as voracious as his father, and a man who has never wanted any other gift, for any occasion, but a book! My artistic and creative Grandpa Milan, whose attic was neatly stacked with old books and magazines that opened new horizons to a seven-year-old imaginative child. My teachers: Vladislava Jovanovic, Milica Veselinov and a whole line of others. My uncle, Dr. Sava Klickovic, an outstanding scholar, writer, and a businessman, with whom each encounter turned into an unforgettable enriching experience.
My husband, Jozo Mataric, who -- in his tactful way -- gave me support by offering a respectful and loving space for my personal growth. My daughter, Maja, who "wrote" her first poem at age four, and never stopped asking for a story and a book about our roots and role models. Lately, my little sunshine Helena, a year old grand-daughter, the most powerful inspiration and motivation I have had so far.
All of those and other people who have touched me with love and knowledge, opening an endless well of thoughts and emotions ready to flow in awe and celebration of life, each of you have a place in this book and in my heart.
Those mentioned as well as the nameless but appreciated ones, each of you has made me what I am: a person thirsty of knowledge eternally in love with life.
Thank you all!
Mira N. Mataric