The parting of the ways...



First of all I just want to reflect on news from the Kherson district today. A complete family were murdered in their home by shelling from Russian artillery. Mother, father, a 12 year old boy and a 23 day old baby. More people were also killed in the region. 
A 23 day old baby. Words can't describe this horror. Sometimes it's hard to process what we see and read.

So, for us it was a parting of the ways. Fiona had to go to Lviv. In discussion with our American friends yesterday, we decided that the best use of resources was to separate. Each of us going in opposite directions. As their vehicle is relatively small they opted to buy hygiene products, which they bagged up and will deliver tomorrow.


I, on the other hand will be taking fruit and vegetables, which again were purchased at the wholesale market. Many thanks to all that helped, Larissa and her husband, J and B. And the porter...


Sometimes, in all the sadness here, there is an opportunity to have a moment of fun. Right at the end of buying the fruit and veg, we realised that we had no herbs. And herbs are really appreciated. And a fraction of the cost in England.
There were none to be had in the wholesale market, and so we quickly went to the ordinary market to see if we could get some there. Most of the stalls were closed and covered up, including a herb stall. Larissa persuaded her to come back to the stall and the woman stallholder found the herbs required. Out of the blue she started to give me, personally, bunches of herbs and hot peppers. I vowed undying love and friendship to her....

These little moments keep you sane. A small kindness, where there is laughter and some fun. This generosity is also reflected in some of the discounts we get for the fruit and vegetables.

I want to send out a special thanks to our American friends....strangers a few days ago, but no longer. They have shared the load and been incredibly generous in their support for Ukraine. I look forward to their return.

Being with them made me think of history and it's lessons. A somewhat raggle taggle American army managed to win the War of Independence, against a highly trained British army with superior firepower and weapons. And here we are in Ukraine. 
There was a belief then, there is a belief now. Freedom and independence. The price is high. A family gone.

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