Hopeless and Hopeful in Waitsburg

These past few weeks have been heart-wrenching. The feelings of grief, sadness, anger, and hopelessness are all swirling within me as I watch this dreadful war unfold in Ukraine. My paternal grandfather moved to the United States as a child from a small town in Austria in the late 1800s. That town is now part of Ukraine. I feel connected to this war in a way that I hadn’t imagined.

Hindsight being 20/20, I am now embarrassed by my last column. While the people in Ukraine hear the constant barrage of bombs, guns, explosions, and air-raid sirens, my singing appliances are comparatively a trivial annoyance. I am fortunate; I have all my senses, and I don’t live in a deadly dangerous environment. When we make cocktails, it’s a martini to enjoy and savor, while Ukrainians make Molotov cocktails to save their lives.

Last week at the restaurant, our Prix Fixe dinner was in tribute to Ukraine. We served Ukrainian food and donated 10% of the proceeds to UNICEF. I donated personal funds as well, yet it still feels inadequate. I’d enlist in the Ukrainian army if I thought they would take me. But even though I consider myself fit for my age, I am sure they wouldn’t have the same confidence in my abilities as I do. I’ve never shot a gun. Being nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other, I’m confident I couldn’t hit a tank coming directly towards me.

As sad as I’ve been these past few days, Sunday brought sunshine and some renewed energy. I had plans to play tennis in the afternoon, but I still needed to work off some energy. I went out to the backyard, grabbed my gloves and rake, and got to it. I raked dead leaves, pine branches, pine needles, pulled some weeds, and managed to fill three giant trash bags.

The feeling I had accomplished something did elevate my mood a little. And as a bit of bonus, plants I thought for sure were goners, are beginning to grow back. I saw green spikes starting to show from daylilies I was certain had frozen to death. Rhubarb, hollyhocks, tulips, and iris are really starting to spring up. The snowdrops I was gifted last year have bloomed and spread. Next year I will remember to add some crocuses.

Feeling better after gardening, I went off to the tennis courts. And another bonus, for the first time since we started playing at the school’s courts, four 11–12-year-old kids appeared on the second court. My first thought; the internet must be down. But they were there to have some fun and play tennis. However, we overheard they had rackets but no balls. A need I could easily solve, giving them some of our spares. Watching and hearing kids play is always a joy.

Before Daniel and I had dinner that night, I took a quick look at the news, which is still so disheartening. However, what is impressive is the assistance countries bordering Ukraine have offered. Strangers offer their homes, clothing, food, water, toys, and medical supplies. Many other countries will allow the Ukrainian refugees to work without work visas. The inhumanity from this unprovoked invasion is being met with some of the most generous humanitarian assistance imaginable. I will continue to hope for a quick resolution to this atrocity. Hope is a good thing!