Hello Lovelies,
I have been deeply inspired by the Ukrainian people. I’m sure you have too. Thrust into a cruel, brutal, uncertain war, Ukrainians have risen up in droves to meet the moment.
I was especially touched by this story of an older woman, a former anesthesiologist who embroidered purses in her retirement, who now stitches body armor vests for the front line.
This is her story.
“In Lviv, the historic western city now filled with the displaced, Halyna Butenko, 65, smiled as she recounted her 650-mile journey from Kharkiv, focusing on the silver linings.
After decades working as an anesthesiologist, she lived alone. Her husband had died, her son had emigrated to New Zealand. A soldier had helped her get to the city’s railway station, where thousands frantically jostled for space.
In her retirement, she had taught herself how to embroider by watching YouTube videos, and she carried a suitcase full of her creations, which she hoped to sell to keep cash in her pocket. But it was too heavy. She deserted it on a staircase. And amid the crush of people, she almost gave up.
Then, on the platform, ‘an angel appeared,’ she said. At first, Butenko was so exhausted that she didn’t notice 25-year-old Maryna’s fuchsia-dyed hair. But the unlikely pair — the punk girl and the ‘babusia’ — stayed together on the train until Lviv. There, Maryna left Butenko at a shelter in a converted warehouse where, before the war, Goths and geeks and techno-heads threw raves and made art.
Butenko is now under the tutelage of Sasha Horondi — a man who has the Chinese character for “respect” tattooed on his neck and who would not look out of place in Brooklyn or Berlin. He ran a hugely successful business making fashionable backpacks. His sewing machines are now devoted to stitching body-armor vests for the front line.
‘I’m an old woman now,’ Butenko said. ‘But the war has meant that I’ve kept learning. I’ve learned how to distinguish the sounds of different missiles. I’ve learned how to survive without my husband and my son. I’ve learned how to make these vests.’
A grin spread across her face and she said, ‘Let me show you something.’
She reached into her backpack and pulled out an embroidered purse. Somehow, one of her creations had made it, she said with wonder. It would become a good-luck charm.
‘The most important thing I’ve learned,’ she said, ‘is that being Ukrainian means fighting to the end.’”
Butenko’s story reminded of this Bob Marley quote:
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option.”
Let’s not wait until then. Let’s look at our lives right now. Where have you been too small? In what ways, can you rise up? How can you empower yourself even more?
These are dark times. It would be easy to plummet into despair, depression, or hate. I’ve had moments when I’ve felt overcome by despair myself.
But I remind myself to stay in the present moment. I tell myself not to waste my time projecting into the future. I can’t know what the future holds.
I tell myself to remember the goodness. The 15,000+ Russians who have protested against the war. The ingenious ways Westerners have found to support Ukrainians directly by renting their Airbnb’s or buying their knitting patterns on Raverly, The way neighboring countries are taking in hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Everyday, I think of the Ukrainian people. I hold a vision of peace for them. I do protective mantras for them. I don’t leave it at that. I’ve sent money too.
I also hold a positive vision for the Russian people too. If they knew the truth, they wouldn’t want this war.
I don’t know if holding a positive vision has any effect whatsoever. But, I somehow suspect, the more people who do, the more powerful it can become.
Looking back through the centuries, we know hatred never works. It only begets more hatred and brings doom in the long run.
“Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.”—the Buddha
Let us hold a vision of peace for Ukraine, act in love, and do all we can to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Until Next Time
My eyesight has not found its new normal yet post cataract surgery. Early on, I developed inflammation in the back of my right eye. Only recently it’s appeared in my left eye as well. That’s not uncommon after cataract surgery.
But my eyesight is better than ever before! With continued treatment, the inflammation will subside in time. Despite the minor setback, I’m deeply grateful for the miracle of modern medicine that makes this kind of surgery possible.
Thank you for reading!
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Until next time, stay safe, be happy, and let your love flow. Sending you all my love and best wishes.
xo Sandra
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