War Continues

current events, nonfiction, , 25 Comments

I survived Covid, and Christmas, and was preparing to take a breather – maybe work on my memoir, or get re-inspired in the art room – when the first call came:

“VJ, there is a situation I need your help with!”

The caller lived in a nearby town, and was leaving the country the following day. She needed help. More accurately, the Ukrainians she was calling on behalf of needed help.

Without getting into too many details, a 24 year-old woman and her 2 week-old baby were forced to vacate the place they were living in. The mother-in-law had also been visiting, and offered the impetus to make the move. By the time Ric and I were able to meet with them, they were living in a women’s shelter and were visibly traumatized.

The day after the call about the women, I received a call from another friend that a Ukrainian man has been living in the airport for 2 weeks. He has no English, no work, and was scammed out of all his money for an apartment that didn’t exist. My friend connected us, but he, like the two women, is deeply afraid.

Ric and I are weeding through the fears trying to bring reassurance and protective measures to each of the individuals. It is difficult not to drown in their despair. 

Thankfully, we are backed by a whole community of Ukrainians who are willing to help. 

We will offer assistance where we can, and try to accept what we can’t help with. The war in Ukraine continues to desecrate lives. 

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Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

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