March into April...which was a long time ago.

Spring-- ish

in Warsaw– Pre Paris.

We find ourselves planting sunflowers this spring with hope for brighter days to come (my intention is to harvest said plants to take them over to the Russian embassy). Our crocuses are blooming, the lilac has buds, the forsythia (my mom’s favorite) is out, and we have officially traded our COVID masks for Ukrainian flags.

Since the start of March, we have had Clemens living with us and teaching us Eastern European history and culture, art, and all the things that he knows and loves about Ukraine. A few weeks ago, his girlfriend, Milena fled Ukraine to live with us as well. And, for another couple of weeks, we had their good friend, Lera, staying with us as well. It was a full house. Our consumption of vegetables, wine, and chocolate soared, and we were incredibly close to the news, sorrow and frustration coming from Ukraine. Chase was the happiest of the bunch to have so many folks to snuggle with and take on walks. Lera would soothe herself to sleep with pictures of dead Russian soldiers, and there were many conversations about the absurdity of war.

Lolly and Clemens spent some nights ordering medical and safety supplies online, and packages would arrive daily at school and home. Clemens made another trip to Lviv in his little red van with supplies that he gathered from points around Poland and Czechia. With everything from drones and body armor to gauze and Isreali bandages, and a whole lot of first aid kits, he worked to get some supplies to those who need it. And, he and Milena were able to have dinner with her family.

We ate borscht (recipe included), drank cherry liquor (Piana Vyshnia), and learned about life in the villages of Ukraine. All-the-while, life at school and for all of us continued here in Warsaw. Reed was in a play (Shakespeare in Love), Phoebe continued with her soccer, and Lolly and Paul continued to trudge along. We help out when we can with the school’s refugee efforts; sorting clothes and handing out food and clothing to those who need it in central Warsaw.

As the temps warm up and our heads emerge above water like the plants budding out of the ground, we continue to feel fortunate for our time here and all of the learning and growth it brings. We are humbled by all of the notes of support and all who have sent us some funding to pass along more directly to those who can use it here in Poland. Also of note, Reed was a rock star in the play, Shakespeare in Love.