In doing some computer housekeeping this afternoon, I came across a post I'd started to write earlier.
In our rambling this afternoon, we came back through the
center of town, past this very quiet and now nearly empty place. But being here
brought back some very clear and sharp memories from Feb 20, 2014. That was a chilly
day. That was the day that snipers were on the rooftops in downtown Kyiv,
picking off people from the streets and squares below. Aiming for people
wearing special white vests with red crosses on them designating them as
medics. The day we flew out of our apartment in an almighty hurry when we realized
that our dear girl, my co's youngest sister a medical student was actually still in town. She was
part of a group of about 40 doctors and medical students from our city who were
leaving for Kyiv but their departure had been delayed. There was a desperate
need for trained medics in Kyiv. She'd been there often before, during some of the worst days to bring medical help to wounded people. But this time felt so much more uncertain than the other times.
In our rambling this afternoon, we came back through the
center of town, past this very quiet and now nearly empty place. But being here
brought back some very clear and sharp memories from Feb 20, 2014. That was a chilly
day. That was the day that snipers were on the rooftops in downtown Kyiv,
picking off people from the streets and squares below. Aiming for people
wearing special white vests with red crosses on them designating them as
medics. The day we flew out of our apartment in an almighty hurry when we realized
that our dear girl, my co's youngest sister a medical student was actually still in town. She was
part of a group of about 40 doctors and medical students from our city who were
leaving for Kyiv but their departure had been delayed. There was a desperate
need for trained medics in Kyiv. She'd been there often before, during some of the worst days to bring medical help to wounded people. But this time felt so much more uncertain than the other times.
This quiet street was where the bus was loading and we got down here in time to tell her good-bye and hug her tight and wish her the best... and hold our breaths and hope that all would be well. I don't remember that there were any tears shed by anyone there. Everyone was sober and determined. About half a block away was a large public meeting in the main city square where public officials were going over safety measures for our city.
So much has happened since then.
So much.
I've sometimes written about it, mostly I haven't. What can you write? Thousands have died. Thousands. At least one army pilot was kidnapped inside Ukraine and taken to Russia where she's been accused of crimes; she's been imprisoned there, illegally, for months.
For a long time, we were so thankful that at least none of those nearest and dearest had been called up by the army.
At the end of January, I was having a pre-bus bread and honey snack when an army officer came calling with the notification for the man of that home. He's my age, exactly. His wife is my dear friend; so is his bro-in-law. He has 2 young children. We were all stunned. Of course it could happen; was bound to. But then it did.
Because of poor health, he was deemed unfit to serve, thankfully. (With the proviso that if war is declared- or martial law- he must report.)
Several weeks ago we were with another man, a contact, who'd been called up in the very first wave of mobilization last spring. He served his 12 months and was deactivated. Alive, whole, healthy. It was a huge comfort and relief to see someone who came home from the army in one piece; so many don't.
Another friend's young son, 17, was 'called up'.... but because he's not yet of legal age (to serve) and because he's a student, he was deferred.
And today we received word that one of the dearest got his papers and was declared fit. He goes this week. He's 49. He has a wife, 6 kids. In fact- those 2 up there? The 2 sisters? They're his oldest and youngest daughters. I cannot imagine what this summer will be like without him.
And that youngest one. She's still a med student, 3rd year. And she's still actively involved in training military medics. Many weekends, she's near the front where she hears constant gunfire. She trains soldiers battlefield first aid.
So much of this is hard to understand. It has at times kept me awake all or most of the night. It has at times made it hard to read, to pray, to concentrate. It has completely altered life here. Many grocery stores have collection bins for goods that the soldiers need; many collection tins for funds for the army and private militias. And many many people, in spite of very difficult times financially, give and give and give.
There is comfort in several firm facts:
- God doesn't give us more than He gives strength to cope with.
- Nothing is beyond His strength and control.
- We see a small part of the picture; God sees the whole picture.
- God has a plan- it is to save the souls of men. This He does.
- There are things that are more important than even natural life. IE- Life is more than bread and the body more than clothing.
- God will care for those who trust Him.
So- we continue to trust. Someday, this will be history. We don't know how it will end, we don't know when it will end. But it will. No storm lasts forever.
I've shared things on Facebook, sometimes. Often I haven't. Then someone says: You need to so that people know what's going on. So I've shared again for a bit. But really? People- Russia is in Ukraine- tanks, heavy artillery, soldiers. This is not a Ukrainian civil war- this is Ukraine trying to get Russia out. Why is Russia here? We don't know. Not really. Why can't the two countries live as neighbors with independent governments? I don't know. But apparently one can't imagine life without the other while the other is desperately trying to create life outside of the domination of the other. Yes, there was a ceasefire. No, it's not the first. No, it's not actually been adhered to...at least not by the rebels and Russians. Ukrainian troops and heavy artillery were withdrawn from the front lines; the other side simply takes that territory. And so it goes. So someday, hopefully, I'll be here to tell you about how it all ended. But that day is not today.
And yes, this is partly why I really haven't blogged much the past year (although I was on a decline, post-wise before this all started). So much just doesn't seem important in light of the current situation.
xo
