Ukraine On Our Minds

 

Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine is a tragedy every day, as the courageous Ukrainians stand up to the world's bully. It is hard to see such destruction and death on the news daily and hard to know how to help. Prayer is one way to help that is free. Donating to an aid organization is good if you trust it to use your money well.

Ukraine has a beautiful flag that always makes me think of a field of golden wheat with a smoky blue sky above. Have you noticed those two colors popping up in many places in recent weeks in a show of support? The Longaberger Woven Traditions Bowls pictured are in Cornflower blue and Butternut yellow, not perfectly Ukraine's colors, but they still bring it to mind.

Living on a farm, it breaks my heart that Ukrainian farmers can't plant their crops and go on farming. This is another way the world will long suffer from Putin's selfish aggression--those fields will be affected for years, causing shortages everywhere. Farming is a full-season process. You can't just stop and start whenever in the year suits you.

As a retired teacher, it breaks my heart that Ukrainian children are away from their homes, schools, family, friends, regular routines . . . their lives. Teachers love their classroom families developed throughout the school year, and they must be so worried, in addition to fearing for their own lives and families. Children are resilient, but this will be so hard for even the strongest of them.

Whether we can help financially or in other ways, we can all find a way to remember and be inspired by the strength of Ukraine. The Ukrainians only seek freedom, which should be the most basic of rights everywhere, for all. It is sad that misinformation is so prevalent everywhere, and that good people in Russia have been misled.