Dear readers,
This weekend, I fly to see my family, whom I hadn’t seen for very long 8 years. I shared a part of my story in this newsletter if you missed it. When I was leaving for the U.S., I couldn’t have imagined that my family would flee their home, fearing political persecution and become refugees. I didn’t know that in the U.S., I would meet my Ukrainian husband and that his family would be forced to flee their home, too, and become refugees due to war. I am forever thankful to Poland and the Polish people who opened their hearts and homes to my loved ones and made them feel welcome and safe. It’s been torture to be far away from my family during the most difficult times in our lives. After countless hours of video calls and texts, I will soon be able to hug them. This week has been filled with lots of tears, emotions, and cautious happiness.
All these years, I’ve dreamed of returning home to my childhood house in Belarus. Instead, I’m going to my mom’s rental apartment in Poland, a place I’ve never been before. Even though it’s not where I grew up, it feels like coming home because home is where your family lives.
A few years ago, I wrote in my diary, “The biggest treasure in this life is being able to live close to your loved ones.” Unfortunately, this understanding comes at a big price.
If you can, spend time with your family this weekend. Hug your loved ones who are near, and call those who are far away. I’m going to soak up every second I’ll have with mine.
P.S.: It’s been a year since I started this newsletter. During this time, I published more than 40 essays, 30 poems, and over 25 family recipes. If you joined not so long ago and have seen only the recent ones, you can browse the full archive here:
Warmly,
Darya
Email: daryazorka@substack.com
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Twitter
Browse family recipes from Eastern Europe here
Watch the “20 Days in Mariupol” documentary here
Watch other Frontline PBS documentaries on Ukraine here
Donate to help Ukraine: UKRAINE DONATION GUIDE 2024
Nice thoughts. For me, I actually feel closer to my now deceased grandparents and aunt, who raised me for two years in Italy when I was a child. They were born in the early 1900s, lived through two world wars, multiple economic depressions, and saw incredible changes in transportation, technology, and everything else in their century on earth. They always kept their values, hard work, honesty and kindness. They are my inspiration.
Wow! I hope this reunion brings you all the joy you wish and deserve.