Carol of Bells....

You might know this from the English version but it's originally a Ukrainian carol, written about 100 years ago...if you have time, listen to a Ukrainian carol...they are really beautiful.

It's hard for us to think of Christmas in the normal sense this year. There is a defiance in Ukrainians who still want to celebrate Christmas, either to the Gregorian calendar or the Julian one. But it's hard. Today, Kherson, near to the area where we will be delivering aid, was shelled again. Not a military target but a market, selling Christmas gifts amongst other things, leaving many dead strewn on the ground. I have seen pictures but can't really find words to describe this random terrorism by a rogue terrorist state. A delusional thug with nuclear weapons. And another child left dead.

This morning we drove to the Polish border to pick up a full aid van. So full that we had to put stuff in the cab... I indicated that if we had another couple of boxes, we wouldn't have to communicate....
We dropped some amazing hardware to a person who helps move the aid on. 
All these people who help. So many individuals doing what they can. And doing it well. This is what Putin really doesn't get - how many individuals hate his guts and will fight for their country.

We also met a guy who runs an under 7s football team, along with others, in a large basement so that if the air raid siren goes off they can continue to play. Words don't fail me here....a wonderful, positive thing that allows a level of normality - children socialising and doing something that they like doing. Ordinary.
And so, on Christmas Eve, we think of our families, of all our many Ukrainian friends, our colleagues and friends in Trawden. A Christmas Eve like no other. 
May you all have a peaceful one. 

Comments

  1. Mum24 December 2022 at 08:23

    And hopefully you will have a relatively peaceful one alsoxx

    ReplyDelete

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