For the past few years I have been posting a salutation on International Womens’ Day to women in my circles, chronicling how they meet the chores and challenges of daily life in important ways, mostly unsung, but nevertheless persisting.
This year was different.
Like everyone else, I have been feeling horror and helplessness as the war in Ukraine has unfolded. And what of the women of Ukraine? They were in my thoughts before the 8th of March, and will continue to be for a long, long time. With your indulgence, this is what I have written in my blog.
This year I honour:
the woman who bundled her baby in her arms and left on a train for somewhere safer; the woman who stayed and boarded up her windows; the woman who took lessons from civil defense on how to fire a gun so she can defend her grandchildren; the woman who is a soldier; the woman who played piano in the train station; the woman who made bread for those who had nothing;; the woman who saved others; the woman teaching how to save others; the woman monitoring troop movements and supply lines; the woman who longs for her family; the woman growing food; the woman finishing her shift at the hospital; the woman starting her shift at the hospital; the woman who shares information with the world; the woman treating the injured with medicines and bandages from a knapsack on her back; the woman who cannot hold her grandchild; the woman who is taking care of animals; the woman packing food for strangers; the woman who drives a truck; the woman who flies a plane; the woman making sure the trucks are delivering across the border; the woman who misses hugs; the woman on her own; the woman caring for other people’s kids; the woman who laughs long and loud; the woman who still sings her national anthem; the woman who told Russian tank drivers the truth; the woman who posts art and flowers to feed heavy hearts; the woman who cursed the invaders of her country; the woman who cried.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
