Dear Reader:

On this Mother’s Day in May of 2022, I couldn’t help but think of the young mothers giving birth in Ukraine as this senseless attack on their country’s freedom continues to play out on the news for us.

But for the Ukrainian people their lives and dreams for their futures have been turned upside down… especially their expectant new mothers.

Yesterday as I read article after article on the seemingly impossible conditions women, especially mothers and soon-to -be mothers, are facing by themselves ( husbands fighting) I found myself shuddering at their stark reality.

Yesterday we talked about Robert Frost’s observation, that despite everything… life goes on …one mother’s story concludes with her wish and prayer that her newborn little girl can simply live through this terrible on-slaught on Ukraine.

One woman’s story began by saying that just a few months ago she was dreaming of getting a new red dress to wear after her baby’s delivery to celebrate being a new mother for the first time and happy their country was free with lessening restrictions from Covid and she could take her baby to the park in her new stroller. Little did she know how quickly her simple dreams would be dashed.

Then everything changed in February with the first Russian attack-their apartment and stroller damaged beyond repair and she never wanted to see the color red again… she had already seen too much bloodshed.

In another story Yuliya spent two days traveling on foot, alone, across fields and forests to find the Kyiv’s Regional Prenatal Center. The medical staff was working under intense pressure delivering babies despite the shelling and unstable power supply.

After delivering her little girl Yuliya was staying because she had no home to return to-so she, along with the medical staff, assumed multiple roles… cook, maid, doctor and surgeon assistant.

UNICEF is their one saving salvation-delivering desperately needed supplies.

Yuliya concludes her story with her powerful simple wish… ” I want us to stay alive… I want peace.” Every mother’s wish and prayer… especially in Mother’s Day!

So until tomorrow… Let us take time today to say a prayer for life, for love, for mothers.

Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh

And for those of us who have lost their mothers remember…

Congratulations to Vikki … graduating from the College of Charleston Masters Program ( Urban Planning and Management) with honors …on Mother’s Day weekend! (Look what your mom did Rhodes… and while expecting a little brother or sister for you!!!)