Changing Needs in Ukraine

The weather in Iowa is changing. I woke up the other day in a brisk room, immediately shut the window I had left open, and rummaged in a stack of sweaters for my favorite to kick off the season. I sat down to work in my home office, still a bit chilly. Thinking, hmm this seems early, I turned on the heat with a couple of flicks of my fingers. With the morning back to routine, I set the kettle to boil and waited patiently for my homemade pour-over coffee – While waiting, and pouring, I texted Shalika, “Is it time for stew?!?”

The weather changes and tides shift. I’m thrilled, how great it is to pull on those jeans, a flannel shirt, drive with the windows down, and a pair of boots! It’s freedom, baby! The moment is good, but I know what is lurking here in the future. My snow shovel is handy, in my garage. We have a local quarter beef in the freezer. A small harvest of a backyard garden. The truck works, all four wheels drive and my extra warm coats are in the back seat (best to be prepared).

The tide shifts: winds change, and the headlines from Ukraine have been farther in between, with most updates appearing in the thread of good news. Casually, it seems that the main stresses are over. The north is liberated, and Kyiv is solidly in Ukrainian hands, how great does it feel? It’s freedom baby, yeaaah! The moment is good, but there are things lurking still. The shovels there are heavier, by 440 bodies. The harvest was stolen. The trucks are missing. Where is the heavy coat?

I flick my fingers; the heat comes on. I have no doubt. The snow is light in my shovel. Truck beyond what I need. And the food is here, and there, and over there, and some stashed upstairs. It’s time for stew! We’ll have the family over to the house. The house. Our home with its brisk rooms and stacks of sweaters.

While the situation in Ukraine has changed during the last few months, the needs of the Ukrainians have not disappeared. There have been military successes in the news, but there are also approximately 12 million displaced families, of which about 7 million are still in the country and a handful right here in Iowa. Away from their homes, their stacks of sweaters, the kettles with tea and pour-overs. Those in Ukraine are also full of doubt about whether the heat will come on if they move their worn-out fingers. They could use some heavy coats, perhaps some stew (borscht!). We’re still working hard to support Ukraine and its people. Our coming event will showcase powerful stories, photos, and videos. We’ll have experts speaking. Ukrainian Dancers celebrating the culture. And, most importantly, opportunities to give your support. If I flick my fingers, the heat comes on. If you flick yours……