24 Comments
Dec 2, 2023·edited Dec 2, 2023Liked by Darya Zorka

I found your article moving. Even though my father was Ukrainian, I don't know Ukraine, because I've never been there. However, I can say the Ukrainians I meet are warm-hearted people. I like spending time with them.

One of the newcomers I met at my church is from Chernihiv. Most Ukrainian-Canadians have roots in Halychyna and Bukovina, but the people who have arrived since the invasion are from all over the country. I've met a number of people from Kyiv as well as many other places including Donbas.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you! I hope you’ll be able to visit Ukraine in the future and reconnect with your roots! It’s so sad that so many Ukrainians had to flee their homes. I hope they feel safe and welcome in Canada.

Expand full comment

Thank you Darya for sharing such a moving and interesting story. This is my favorite.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Beautiful memories. That last paragraph made me cry.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you! ❤️‍🩹

Expand full comment
Nov 20Liked by Darya Zorka

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, Darya. My paternal grandparents came from Ukraine and I always hoped that I could visit someday. I’m 70 years old, so I’m sad to say that this dream will never come to fruition. 💙💛🇺🇦💛💙🙏🏽

Expand full comment
author

I hope you will reconnect with your heritage by learning about Ukraine and Ukrainian culture, even if you can’t visit Ukraine ❤️

Expand full comment
Nov 20Liked by Darya Zorka

Thank you. A few years ago I bought a wonderful Ukrainian Christmas book for my sister. She really loved it. My grandfather came from Sokol and my grandmother came from a nearby village.

Expand full comment
Nov 20Liked by Darya Zorka

Always.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Nov 20Liked by Darya Zorka

Thank you Darya for sharing your story - a follower from New Zealand 🇳🇿🫶🇺🇦

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Rosemary!

Expand full comment

A beautiful story Darya. Those ladies on bikes are still on night time railway platforms with drinks and pyryzhky! I bought some just outside Zaporizhzhia in September.

Expand full comment
author

❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Dec 7, 2023Liked by Darya Zorka

I'm only reading this today. Glad I saved it too because yesterday was a hard day for this American fella. I've never been so embarrassed and ashamed to be an American. But none of my Ukrainian friends have held it against me and that's a beautiful thing. We adjust the plan and carry on. Even having never been there and it being unlikely I ever will, it feels like a second home.

Expand full comment
author

Rachel, thank you for being such an ally to Ukraine! I want to hope for the better, and I believe with all my heart that the evil will be defeated. The only question is at what cost.

Expand full comment

Thank you for the wonderful, moving story. I urge fellow readers to support Ukraine by giving, and most urgently by writing your Congressional representative and senators demanding action on the administration's aid request for Ukraine. Another alternative for donating money is United24.

Thank you for doing something concrete in support of the Ukrainian people's desperate fight for our mutual freedom.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for your feedback, Stephen! And thank you for advocating for Ukraine and supporting Ukrainians. Your support means a lot!

Expand full comment
Dec 4, 2023Liked by Darya Zorka

Thank you very much Dear Darya . Every time I read your articles, I deeply regret never having been to Ukraine, even though I've travelled a lot. But I know that Ukraine will be one of the first trips I make with my two kids.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you! I hope you'll be able to visit Ukraine in the near future. It's a beautiful country with amazing nature, culture, and people. I can't wait to visit it again.

Expand full comment
Dec 3, 2023Liked by Darya Zorka

The people in this article will live with me, what lovely people and your warmth in describing them.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you ❤️ I’m so glad I met those people, and it’s just a few stories among many. Currently, with the raging Russian war and the participation of Belarus in it, the kindness and generosity that so many Ukrainians showed me makes my heart ache so much.

Expand full comment

Thanks for republishing. Lovely. I hope amongst all the current sadness your happy memories bring a sparkle. Sunshine on a rainy day.

Expand full comment