Yeah, I hear you. Sorry that my reply was kind of tone def. I did not mean to say that there should be riots or war in Belarus. What I was getting at is the collapse of Russia and liberation of Belarus. I guess that your message of joy went over my head, too. And thank you for your explanation about grief. I find your writing about what all is going on to be helpful. And as for movies I was thinking about watching Die Hard. Haven’t seen it in years and 'tis the season. Thank you again and happy holidays to you and your family.
I have been lingering over what you wrote, and waiting for my tears to slow down:
/
“ … grief. Forever hurting and forever present. However, as I felt it in my chest, I noticed that there was something else. I looked closer and noticed joy. It wasn’t the joy I knew before – beaming, naive, and frail. The joy that came with grief was quiet, warm, and strong.
I didn’t think it was possible to feel joy when there was so much pain around, but I was mistaken. It is not only possible. It is necessary. Joy protects us from the darkness and apathy that evil brings.”
/
Darya, thank you for words that touch our hearts. An old song from my days in high school band began playing in my head as I read and re-read your essay — the last minute or so of “Sonus Ventorum”, as performed by Claude T Smith and the University of Kansas Bands.
That last minute of that music is triumphant, as are the later notes of your essay.
Dear Darya, thank you for your lovely letter, and beautiful thoughts. I agree that joy and light can be antidotes to the evil in this world. The thought that joy is an act of resilience even brings a sense of comfort.
I also agree with you that when we can get past the numbness we can find warmth in the joy that is there despite the grief. I wish you and yours a warm holiday season.
Hi, Darya. You are the only writer from Belarus that I follow and when I look at a map of Europe I can see how important your home country will be to the safety and security of Europe. With all that is happening in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Romania, and now also in Syria, it is pretty obvious that Belarus is the next piece of the puzzle. And I don’t think that you should feel guilty about the current regime in Belarus. But do you think that grief is permanent? Thanks.
Hi Paul! Yes, unfortunately, the central location of Belarus is the reason why, historically, all the wars and occupiers went through it, leaving death and destruction behind. I meant grief not only about Belarus but about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When the war affects your family and the place you love, I think grief is permanent. The intensity changes with time, but I doubt it will disappear entirely because life will never be the same.
Darya, I've quoted part of your lovely essay in my Substack today. Thank you for writing it!
https://kcollins.substack.com/p/joy-to-the-world
Thank you, Keith!
Yeah, I hear you. Sorry that my reply was kind of tone def. I did not mean to say that there should be riots or war in Belarus. What I was getting at is the collapse of Russia and liberation of Belarus. I guess that your message of joy went over my head, too. And thank you for your explanation about grief. I find your writing about what all is going on to be helpful. And as for movies I was thinking about watching Die Hard. Haven’t seen it in years and 'tis the season. Thank you again and happy holidays to you and your family.
Thank you, Paul! Happy holidays to you, too!
"Let’s nurture joy in our hearts this holiday season, no matter how hard the times are, because joy is one of the ways of resistance." - Darya
Thank you Darya. We join you in resistance with joy.
Thank you, Sonia! ❤️
I have been lingering over what you wrote, and waiting for my tears to slow down:
/
“ … grief. Forever hurting and forever present. However, as I felt it in my chest, I noticed that there was something else. I looked closer and noticed joy. It wasn’t the joy I knew before – beaming, naive, and frail. The joy that came with grief was quiet, warm, and strong.
I didn’t think it was possible to feel joy when there was so much pain around, but I was mistaken. It is not only possible. It is necessary. Joy protects us from the darkness and apathy that evil brings.”
/
Darya, thank you for words that touch our hearts. An old song from my days in high school band began playing in my head as I read and re-read your essay — the last minute or so of “Sonus Ventorum”, as performed by Claude T Smith and the University of Kansas Bands.
That last minute of that music is triumphant, as are the later notes of your essay.
Thank you for your kind words and feedback, Bill!
Dear Darya, thank you for your lovely letter, and beautiful thoughts. I agree that joy and light can be antidotes to the evil in this world. The thought that joy is an act of resilience even brings a sense of comfort.
I also agree with you that when we can get past the numbness we can find warmth in the joy that is there despite the grief. I wish you and yours a warm holiday season.
Thank you, Veronique! ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this deeply felt post. I wish you more joy.
Thank you!
Hi, Darya. You are the only writer from Belarus that I follow and when I look at a map of Europe I can see how important your home country will be to the safety and security of Europe. With all that is happening in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Romania, and now also in Syria, it is pretty obvious that Belarus is the next piece of the puzzle. And I don’t think that you should feel guilty about the current regime in Belarus. But do you think that grief is permanent? Thanks.
Hi Paul! Yes, unfortunately, the central location of Belarus is the reason why, historically, all the wars and occupiers went through it, leaving death and destruction behind. I meant grief not only about Belarus but about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When the war affects your family and the place you love, I think grief is permanent. The intensity changes with time, but I doubt it will disappear entirely because life will never be the same.