A book no child should have to write

The diary of Yeva Skalietska is now available in the Hillingdon Libraries. I was able to borrow it to read over the weekend.  It is entitled "You Don't Know What War is" It is a book no child should have to write as Adults should have learnt to be mature in the Wisdom of Peace! We let our children down by allowing deluded power egos become so called leaders.  A true leader knows to keep peace, care for citizens and how to work with other world leaders. Instead we have deluded warmongers in power creating havoc unable to share the world in peace. A world crying out for peace and dignity. A planet home we all share crying to be healed from the pain we inflict on her as our mother support system. 

So here we are with a 12 year old girl going from the excitement of her 12th birthday and all her gifts to having to hide for safety from missiles in her basement and later with other children and families in safe quarters. Her home once a safe sanctuary now destroyed with a missile hit.  She goes from the fun of her birthday to being able to identify types of missiles used by a dictator destroying her homeland. Clusters bombs banned yet still used... but in my peaceful heart all weapons should be banned. Where is the logic of someone wanting to take control over another's land by bombing it to bits destroying infrastructures and its people! Madness beyond madness!

The pen is mightier than the sword ...but when it draws lines on a map it leads to swords being drawn! is my quote tag .. yet when we see mother Earth from outer space she is only land and sea no borders... she quietly and elegantly turns to give us all life from the sun. She cares for us but we fail to care for her our Mother Earth our Life support!

Yeva brings us the reader into her experience of hearing about the possibility of Russian attacks on Ukraine to the actually reality of it happening. She shares with us her fear and how she tries to cope with her mural painting of a friends kitchen.  A kitchen that could be destroyed any time. She talks of power supplies dropped and having to cope trying to risk washing herself, her daily care routine destroyed by attacks and life in complete disarray.  No child should have to talk about dead bodies in the street. No child or adult should see the beautiful city or town or village they lived in destroyed by an aggressor that fails not only himself but all humanity. War crimes violating international law .. a law developed from the horrors of WW2 yet time and time again we see violations and civilians deliberately targeted and supporting infrastructures destroyed. Yeva describes making friends with our Channel 4 reporters and how they interview her.  She asks for their help.  She narrates crossing to Hungry and flying to Dublin Ireland and becoming a refugee in a new land to adjust too.  

Her book includes her friends stories too. Her book ends with my desire too that children deserve a life of happiness and peace.  I would add they deserve a future to dream of and build too.  Not live in fear of losing all.  

Ukraine flags fly around the UK in solidarity and here is one I spotted on my visit to York this week flying on the Lord Mayor of York's Mansion.

I shall be returning the book to our Hillingdon Libraries tomorrow. It is worthy of discussion in our book clubs and schools.

Afternoon at York

 

Managed to get a bargain train day return ticket to York to visit my daughter Nicola. It worked out well as the train I took was to go to Sunderland the first stop York so was smooth journey.  We had a look a York Minister and saw the new statue of Queen Elizabeth set in the front of the cathedral.  Then one cannot visit York without out afternoon tea at Bettys Cafe... was excellent food and service as usual and a small queue on that day but fun with other customers waiting. My Yorkshire accent came out thick and fast as we chatted to local visitors. Managed to get s birthday present for my Grandson who is now 20 I no longer have grandchildren but GrandAdults! despite being an adult he still loves chocolate as gift and cakes from Bettys. but more to come when UK calms down on ability to get products ordered and delivered.  Nothing certain to get delivered at the moment. I have seen some good tops to order for him.

 

Another baby cardigan finished

more knitting completed this is for a 3- 6months baby.  I will have to see if I can sell some to get more wool as mostly I give away to needy families and refugees.  I fill my knitting with love and care to hug the babies and children I knit for.  

Ukrainian Family Link up

fun books to help handwriting precision and fun with English words 

I feel blessed knowing this family. Juliya and her children are very special and good company. I have befriended them just as I have with my Syrian refugee family Family Link Up  I have a good rapport with Juliya's mum Irena and get to meet her father and brother on videocall out in Ukraine defending their land. So important to help by being with the family has so much stress is being experienced.  Like my Syrians they are going through layers of grief .. not only losing loved ones in their country at war but loss of former life, loss of dreams and plans for the future. Life in total disarray!  But this family have made amazing quick adaptations. Juliya is a lawyer with impressive CV got work in London as her language skills an asset too.  Her husband is Turkish and he got work quickly but sadly the company taking him on is running into problems and had to shed him.. I am sure he will find more work soon as he is top class managerial ability and is a polyglot.  

I enjoy the company of their children as they are little Professors of Linguistics like Leen and Celine my Syrian Princesses.  Juliya's son Teo was questioning why I call him a Prince and we have had the most amazing experience to prove he is to me... Last Sunday he was invited to the Windsor Music School and to sing in St George's chapel in Windsor castle. yes I said Windsor Castle.. Wowee was that something to share.  My daughter drove them to Windsor to be sure that they would be on time for the registration at 12:30 and I accompanied them to be sure they got to the school.  Then returned home with my daughter as the whole day was only for parents and children.  I travelled back to Windsor on the train for Evensong open to the public and to see the children sing with the choir there.  They got certificates of attendance and it seems that Teo is well liked.  But how can anyone not like Teo? he is such good company with his intelligent conversations and only 6years soon to be 7years.  But the school only offers boarding and the family feel this not appropriate given all they are going through they need family time together.  Love the school but wish there was a way to attend days only home in evening or if some weekend classes he could attend.  Teo is a keen pianist and loves music.  

The evensong was so awesome for me to attend. I sat quietly at the back with a good view of Teo and I think the uniform procession was from the Order of the Garter that added to the atmosphere. Plus knowing our late departed Queen Elizabeth was in the Chapel tomb. it all felt so spiritually goosepimples.  To think this family fled war and was in the safety of our largest Castle in England Windsor Castle.

Teo wore the jumper I knit to keep him warm on what was a cold frosty day for the visit to the Windsor music school and St George's Chapel.

outside the Windsor Music School by the Castle. 

We were not permitted to take photos in the St George's Chapel.

returning home on the Elizabeth line 

Sister stayed at home with grandma.

Zoom on DWP

Home - Healing Justice London (healingjusticeldn.org)

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🎉🥂New Year Wishes

Well we made it to 2023 .. 

There are more of us in the World that wish Peace than those that make war! 

So let there be Peace!

Love this Belgium artist's work.

Great New Year's eve TV for me to watch with Sam Ryder rocking it towards midnight. Then wow brilliant fireworks and drone artwork over London embankment. There was themes to capture the year we just lived and survived through 2022. From our Lioness football to the loss of our Queen and there was tribute to support Ukraine and refugees. My Ukrainian refugee messaged me to tell me how it brought tears to her eyes with the show of Ukrainian colours and the music from the Eurovision winning song. 

Oh so time we had peace love care compassion for one another and this one planet home we share.   Our mother Earth is crying out for us to see and listen to her calls of distress at our damage to her.  She is our life support so why are we being so stupid as to destroy her ability to support of life!