It’s so inspiring to read your post, and know that you are in the heart of a place that most of us have never been to and have never seen, not even on the news anymore. Or rarely. That your son is there and in love, and about to be part of another family. A family whose home is in a dangerous part of the world, but it is their home. I feel more connected to what is happening there thanks to your reportage, and see how real people are dealing with such challenges. Take good care, and thank you!
Thank you so much! Reading your comment made me happy because this is exactly what I'd been hoping to do while I'm here - raise awareness of what it's like here and how Ukrainians are affected and rising to the challenge of life during a war. I'm so glad you feel more connected to them now ❤️
I hope you'll consider collecting your Wonderstruck posts and publishing them in book form. There is so much wisdom, emotion, observation and wonderful description in them - so much to uplift the spirit.
We were in Kazakhstan last week where our daughter married a lovely man from there, the pair met in Lithuania at their Uni. My daughter’s best friend at Uni was Vika from Ukraine, and she spent Xmas in Kiev with Vika and her family 2 months before the war broke out. As the first bombs landed Vika’s family of 7, the youngest only 2 yrs old, fled during the night. Helped and welcomed by friends in Ireland they are now settled as refugees. The Uni students, a large proportion being Russian/Ukraine, helped and supported each other, shocked at what had happened, and united in their outrage against the war. Fast forward to last week and we were made to feel so welcome in Kazakhstan, warmly received by all, locals, wider Russian relatives, and church congregation of various nationalities. Back home I am today cancelling the Scotland wedding (yes 2 weddings for this couple!) where Vika was to be bridesmaid. Why? The bridegroom has had both his visa applications denied by the UK home office. Their reason being they don’t believe he intends to leave the UK after the wedding. This is despite an official signed letter from his well-respected Uni in Lithuania confirming he will be there on 1 September to complete his 4th and final year of study, and proof of his return plane ticket from Scotland to Lithuania. I feel outraged that governments make decisions that affect people all over the World from a clerk at a desk to those at the top. I hold on to my memories of last week’s wedding where all ages across nationalities came together in harmony, joy, and love. Stay safe Siobhan,
We had similar worries so thought it would be safer for my son and his wife to marry in Ukraine . I'm so glad you got to have such a wonderful celebration last week. So great to hear from you! ❤️
Are you the Susan from Aberdeen?! I'm guessing you must be due to the Kazakhstan trip! So lovely to hear from you and I'm so sorry the Scottish wedding had to be cancelled. It's so infuriating and heartbreaking when government bureaucracy ruins things like this.
Very moving Siobhan and thank you as your experiences brings the reality of Ukranian life to us. Wishing you all the very best and our hearts, prayers and thoughts continue to be with the wonderful, brave and strong Ukranians. Xx
I obviously can't compare my experience in UK with Ukraine experience, but I do know how important it is to live in hope, despite it all and to communicate lovingly with one another on our streets too.
I loved your sharing about the miracle of prayer. And look to all those who turned out here rallying for peace despite all the scaremongering.. Indeed a miracle, and perhaps also reflecting the defiance of the Ukrainian people. Put the two things together and there's a definite groundswell for peace.
Yes, absolutely! It's been so heartening to hear how the anti racists in the UK have reclaimed the streets. I truly believe that most people want to live side by side in peace, it's just certain power crazy leaders with their hateful agendas that whip up suspicion and fear ❤️
It’s so inspiring to read your post, and know that you are in the heart of a place that most of us have never been to and have never seen, not even on the news anymore. Or rarely. That your son is there and in love, and about to be part of another family. A family whose home is in a dangerous part of the world, but it is their home. I feel more connected to what is happening there thanks to your reportage, and see how real people are dealing with such challenges. Take good care, and thank you!
Thank you so much! Reading your comment made me happy because this is exactly what I'd been hoping to do while I'm here - raise awareness of what it's like here and how Ukrainians are affected and rising to the challenge of life during a war. I'm so glad you feel more connected to them now ❤️
I hope you'll consider collecting your Wonderstruck posts and publishing them in book form. There is so much wisdom, emotion, observation and wonderful description in them - so much to uplift the spirit.
Thank you so much! That's so encouraging to hear ❤️
We were in Kazakhstan last week where our daughter married a lovely man from there, the pair met in Lithuania at their Uni. My daughter’s best friend at Uni was Vika from Ukraine, and she spent Xmas in Kiev with Vika and her family 2 months before the war broke out. As the first bombs landed Vika’s family of 7, the youngest only 2 yrs old, fled during the night. Helped and welcomed by friends in Ireland they are now settled as refugees. The Uni students, a large proportion being Russian/Ukraine, helped and supported each other, shocked at what had happened, and united in their outrage against the war. Fast forward to last week and we were made to feel so welcome in Kazakhstan, warmly received by all, locals, wider Russian relatives, and church congregation of various nationalities. Back home I am today cancelling the Scotland wedding (yes 2 weddings for this couple!) where Vika was to be bridesmaid. Why? The bridegroom has had both his visa applications denied by the UK home office. Their reason being they don’t believe he intends to leave the UK after the wedding. This is despite an official signed letter from his well-respected Uni in Lithuania confirming he will be there on 1 September to complete his 4th and final year of study, and proof of his return plane ticket from Scotland to Lithuania. I feel outraged that governments make decisions that affect people all over the World from a clerk at a desk to those at the top. I hold on to my memories of last week’s wedding where all ages across nationalities came together in harmony, joy, and love. Stay safe Siobhan,
We had similar worries so thought it would be safer for my son and his wife to marry in Ukraine . I'm so glad you got to have such a wonderful celebration last week. So great to hear from you! ❤️
Are you the Susan from Aberdeen?! I'm guessing you must be due to the Kazakhstan trip! So lovely to hear from you and I'm so sorry the Scottish wedding had to be cancelled. It's so infuriating and heartbreaking when government bureaucracy ruins things like this.
Yes it's me!!
Oh wow, what a coincidence that both our kids are marrying overseas! So lovely to be connected with you here on Substack!
I had already felt a connection to your biography, leaving education early etc. Then I read this substack post :-)
I love it! The next time I come to Aberdeen we should meet for a coffee. Maybe I could invite you to your Airbnb...? ☕🤣
Definitely 😁 and mates rates next time 😅
Very moving Siobhan and thank you as your experiences brings the reality of Ukranian life to us. Wishing you all the very best and our hearts, prayers and thoughts continue to be with the wonderful, brave and strong Ukranians. Xx
You're so welcome! And I'm so grateful to be able to share some of the Ukrainian experience. I know they really appreciate our support ❤️
I obviously can't compare my experience in UK with Ukraine experience, but I do know how important it is to live in hope, despite it all and to communicate lovingly with one another on our streets too.
I loved your sharing about the miracle of prayer. And look to all those who turned out here rallying for peace despite all the scaremongering.. Indeed a miracle, and perhaps also reflecting the defiance of the Ukrainian people. Put the two things together and there's a definite groundswell for peace.
Decent people having their say.
Yes, absolutely! It's been so heartening to hear how the anti racists in the UK have reclaimed the streets. I truly believe that most people want to live side by side in peace, it's just certain power crazy leaders with their hateful agendas that whip up suspicion and fear ❤️
Absolutely