While we who have not walked your journey cannot pretend to comprehend its toll, it is our job--from the comfort of the far far rear--to bear you up as best we can. To that end, I wanted to let you know that we will be using your translations of 'A commandment' and 'May 8, 2022' in the fundraiser we discussed...will send you the link to the event when it is ready.
Thank you, Mark! I appreciate the birthday wish in Belarusian! ❤️ I’m so glad that you’ll be using the poems I translated in the fundraiser event. I’ll be looking forward to watching the recording!
Thank you for donating and for encouraging others to join!
Happy Birthday, Darya! Wishing you all the best and lots of joy with your loved ones during your well deserved break. Interesting that your name means ‘warrior’ and ‘sea’ and that you dreamed of sailing around the world. I’ve done some sailing over the years and sometimes just hang out at a local sailing beach here in Chicago. Not sure if your location is suitable but it is never too late to get out on the water. Even with a paddle board or kayak. Anyways… Thank you for your words of wisdom and will be looking forward to your next essay.
Thank you, Paul! It’s amazing that you sailed in the past! I’m lucky to live close to the ocean, and just spending time on the beach and looking at the water brings me lots of joy and peace.
You deserve best birthday you can give yourself. It’s right near my dad’s birthday. He was first generation American with Eastern European roots. He taught us resilience. Going through extended stress is debilitating; sounds like you’ve picked out some good antidotes for yourself. Nothing like good cheesy tv or an extended nature walk…unless it’s your favorite music added to cleaning/straightening a drawer or closet (gives one a feeling of control over at least SOME thing.
Happy birthday week Darya. Your poem is so very powerful. I also hope that you will have I
more peaceful sunsets than storms ahead. You help us understand the evil in the world and some of us are getting to witness and experience it first hand too. Take whatever time you need in whatever way you need to take care of yourself. You are loved.
War etches trauma deep in our bones that is never erased. It rises often at the most tender times, like a hook to sadden our joy. You are never alone in this, bound by sisters across the world who know what love and peace truly are. May this birthday provide a glimmer of what surely will come…and once more your footsteps fall on peaceful streets in Ukraine.
Your poem, I identify with it so much. My mom was born in London just before WW2, and her earliest memories are of it being bombed. I spent my pre-teen and early teen years reading about WW2. My poor mom... And absolutely. I think all that reading and learning forged me into the person I am today, and are the foundation of the choices I've made.
I hear you on the burnout. I haven't had it, but my eldest sister has, and my daughter now. Know that I'm thinking of you. I will email soon. 🫂
Like Mark and Sonia and Helinka and others said. You give us courage, strength, and determination. Do exactly what works for you, and do enough of it. I don't prescribe for others beyond that, but I have benefited from adopting a new mantra/slogan: go slow and fix things. 💛💙💚💜♥️
See you back on here soon love! And greetings from brave and beautiful Kharkiv - where I’ve just got back to the hotel and am now binge watching crappy shows on Netflix. Whatever works!!
I’ll be thinking of you on May 27–the birthday of another very special human too. And I’ll be praying for Ukraine and that you have many, many joyful years, past evil.
З днём нараджэння Darya!
While we who have not walked your journey cannot pretend to comprehend its toll, it is our job--from the comfort of the far far rear--to bear you up as best we can. To that end, I wanted to let you know that we will be using your translations of 'A commandment' and 'May 8, 2022' in the fundraiser we discussed...will send you the link to the event when it is ready.
NOW FOR EVERYONE ELSE: In Honor of Darya's Birthday, please go to Darya's Ukraine Donation Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MfX2KELLj48EG2yI9PAIig_3dCacJEm6Iuql0sXXaR0/edit?tab=t.0
Mine went to Razom for Ukraine
Thank you, Mark! I appreciate the birthday wish in Belarusian! ❤️ I’m so glad that you’ll be using the poems I translated in the fundraiser event. I’ll be looking forward to watching the recording!
Thank you for donating and for encouraging others to join!
Have a happy and peaceful Darya. May the sun be warm on your face and the people around you kind and joyful.
Thank you, Tanya! ❤️
Happy Birthday, Darya! Wishing you all the best and lots of joy with your loved ones during your well deserved break. Interesting that your name means ‘warrior’ and ‘sea’ and that you dreamed of sailing around the world. I’ve done some sailing over the years and sometimes just hang out at a local sailing beach here in Chicago. Not sure if your location is suitable but it is never too late to get out on the water. Even with a paddle board or kayak. Anyways… Thank you for your words of wisdom and will be looking forward to your next essay.
Thank you, Paul! It’s amazing that you sailed in the past! I’m lucky to live close to the ocean, and just spending time on the beach and looking at the water brings me lots of joy and peace.
You deserve best birthday you can give yourself. It’s right near my dad’s birthday. He was first generation American with Eastern European roots. He taught us resilience. Going through extended stress is debilitating; sounds like you’ve picked out some good antidotes for yourself. Nothing like good cheesy tv or an extended nature walk…unless it’s your favorite music added to cleaning/straightening a drawer or closet (gives one a feeling of control over at least SOME thing.
Thank you, Valerie! I agree that doing something that gives a sense of control helps.
Happy birthday week Darya. Your poem is so very powerful. I also hope that you will have I
more peaceful sunsets than storms ahead. You help us understand the evil in the world and some of us are getting to witness and experience it first hand too. Take whatever time you need in whatever way you need to take care of yourself. You are loved.
Thank you, Sonia! ❤️
War etches trauma deep in our bones that is never erased. It rises often at the most tender times, like a hook to sadden our joy. You are never alone in this, bound by sisters across the world who know what love and peace truly are. May this birthday provide a glimmer of what surely will come…and once more your footsteps fall on peaceful streets in Ukraine.
Thank you for your kind and beautiful words, Helinka!
A very belated happy birthday, Darya.
Your poem, I identify with it so much. My mom was born in London just before WW2, and her earliest memories are of it being bombed. I spent my pre-teen and early teen years reading about WW2. My poor mom... And absolutely. I think all that reading and learning forged me into the person I am today, and are the foundation of the choices I've made.
I hear you on the burnout. I haven't had it, but my eldest sister has, and my daughter now. Know that I'm thinking of you. I will email soon. 🫂
Thank you, dear Laurel! Hope to hear from you soon! ❤️
As always, your poetry makes me feel in ways I haven't anticipated.
Even in the worst of times, from time to time we will see birds singing.
Take care.
Thank you!
Happy birthday, Darya. I wish you rest and peace. 🎂
Thank you, Louise!
Thank you for that. Hope you find some peace on your birthday. Looking forward to your story.
Thank you, Jan!
Like Mark and Sonia and Helinka and others said. You give us courage, strength, and determination. Do exactly what works for you, and do enough of it. I don't prescribe for others beyond that, but I have benefited from adopting a new mantra/slogan: go slow and fix things. 💛💙💚💜♥️
Thank you for your kind words, Rob!
See you back on here soon love! And greetings from brave and beautiful Kharkiv - where I’ve just got back to the hotel and am now binge watching crappy shows on Netflix. Whatever works!!
Thank you, Felicity! ❤️ I would love to visit Kharkiv some day!
I’ll be thinking of you on May 27–the birthday of another very special human too. And I’ll be praying for Ukraine and that you have many, many joyful years, past evil.
Birthday season, best month. Happy belated birthday, Darya. May your greatest wishes come true sooner than one imagines. Soon!
🙏❤️
Thank you, Eli!