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Mariupol and little Illyana

As usual, I got up early and headed out for my run. It didn’t seem right that the day was starting out so beautiful: a clear morning sky brightening in the east, rising temperatures, fresh clean air, even birds going about their morning business. You see, I am just a few miles from a war zone and refugees pour in every day. Why did we deserve such a peaceful morning? I made a mental note to reach out to mom & dad back home in Boston.

As I continued down the main road, deep in my thoughts, a car came by and drove through the puddle left from last night’s rain. I was instantly drenched in dirty cold street water, but I was thankful I had fresh air to breathe and wasn’t huddled in a basement in Kyiv.

As I got back to my quarters, I headed straight to the shower. Adjusting the water valves did not help at all: almost lukewarm was the best I was going to get today. But I was thankful I had running water unlike the people in Mariupol.

That evening after work I went to help at a refugee processing center. I was only there to unload and stack cases of water and blankets and other supplies. Around me were faces, young and old, looking lost and so in need of everything. They came in every day and eventually after a week or so headed on to their next stop. About an hour after I got there, I saw her. She was small and scared, but there was a brightness in her eyes. She was darker in complexion with long and wild dark brown hair.

I walked over to her and knelt down to her level. I offered her a smile and she greeted me in Russian. I reached into my vest, pulled out a Hershey bar, and returned her greeting. And so it began: for a week I brought her chocolate and we chatted. She was from the east, traveling with neighbors, hadn’t seen her parents since they were separated by intense shelling on the way out of Mariupol. Her name was Illyana. We received confirmation: Her parents did not make it. After about a week she moved on. She and her neighbors are living temporarily with a Romanian family and hope to return to Ukraine, to whatever will be left of Mariupol.
Scribbles · 36-40, F
Every bit of news I hear about Mariupol breaks my heart. We have a family friend who lives out there. Some of us have visited Mariupol-I haven't though. All of us have done video calls over the past fifteen years. A few gifts back and forth. We haven't had news for weeks now. :/

Poor Illyana. I will keep her in my prayers as well as everyone from Ukraine.

Thank you for the work you are doing to help. We've been helping once in a while at a church collecting things to send out there to help do our part. :/
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Scribbles Oh I didn't know of your connection to Mariupol. The whole thing is so sad. Thank you for helping these poor people.
Scribbles · 36-40, F
@sarabee1995 Thank you too.
Entheesa · 31-35, F
I live in the west of Ukraine and also feel strange about the "normal atmosphere" so close to people suffering. It's not anyone's fault, other than Putin and his regime. We should try to help any way we can, as you do already. ❤️
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Entheesa I understand. But I was serious about Denmark being so beautiful this time of year. I've not been there myself (just seen pictures), but have been through the Benelux region and Germany extensively. I very much want to see Denmark.
Entheesa · 31-35, F
@sarabee1995 I don't think I fully appreciated the beauty surrounding me, before I left. That's not to say Ukraine isn't beautiful, it's more so in some areas, but the country's huge, and I'm away from the sea for the first time.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Entheesa Oh!!! You and I are sisters!! I have salt water in my veins! I grew up on Cape Cod which is a very touristy beach area in the northeastern USA. I learned to sail before I learned to walk! Just call me Sara of the Sea! 🧜‍♀️ ⛵
room101 · 51-55, M
Over the last two years, I've spent quite a lot of time with a friend who is originally from Berdiansk, about 80km from Mariupol. Her parents are still there and refuse to leave. I've briefly met her Mum, she is one hell of a spunky lady.

Since this all began, my friend and I have tried to do what we can from so far away. But it's not enough for my friend. She feels an incredible guilt for "being here, enjoying my life, enjoying my freedom". Her words, not mine.

My heart breaks for her a little bit more every time I hear her say that.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@room101 I understand. 😔
ShadowSister · 46-50, F
Wow thank you for sharing. That is heart breaking. What a memory you will have with you for the rest of your life.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@ShadowSister Thank you. 😔
ShadowSister · 46-50, F
@sarabee1995 I have retold this story a couple times already today. I will not stop thinking about Illyana. Is there anything we can do to help that little girl out? Or have you lost touch with her permanently?
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@ShadowSister I gave her and the neighbors she is traveling with my contact information. And I have their mobile numbers.

But, yes, there is much you can do for the displaced people of Ukraine. I like the Red Cross and Americares and Catholic Charities, but you can find a bunch of vetted charitable organizations here: https://action.publicgood.com/campaign/13ac7e1b-4de6-4f7c-b128-4346f73b9832
ozgirl512 · 26-30, F
Thanks for reminding us of the people ...i don't know what else to say... Stay safe.. Hugs
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@ozgirl512 Thank you. 😔
AllAboutLaffs · 80-89, M
Great story but tragic ....
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@AllAboutLaffs Very tragic. Thank you for commenting.
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
I pray Illyana's parents survived the genocide in Mariupol. If not....that she stays safe, warm and has chocolate for many years to come. Ukraine will need her for the rebuild once putin is and the russians are vanquished....

🇺🇦🌻🇺🇦
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@KiwiBird I'm sorry for not being clearer. We have confirmation that her parents did not make it. They were killed in the shelling of a recognized and negotiated civilian humanitarian corridor. According to the neighbors, Illyana does have an aunt and uncle back in Mariupol, but we were not yet able to reach them.
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
@sarabee1995 😢😭
Ambroseguy80 · 56-60, M
Thank you for your firsthand account, my friend. You are much needed there. Keep us abreast of things. 🤗
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@Ambroseguy80 Well, I'm back in Washington now. 🤷‍♀️ But I'll keep you posted as I can.
Ambroseguy80 · 56-60, M
@sarabee1995 well that’s a deal. Thank you.
Tragedy.......and I don’t think much of Mariupol still exists.
sarabee1995 · 26-30, F
@TheSirfurryanimalWales I know. But it will exist again. And, I think, that is the hope they hold on to. 😔

 
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