Voice of Ukraine

From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (406th day of ruzzzian invazion): Carpe Diem has always been one of my favorite life mottos. I know it’s sometimes attributed to hedonism philosophy. But to me, it means living life to the fullest and living it responsibly. Carpe Diem goes well with another quote that I like “What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it”. (Heartsill Wilson) During the war we learn to appreciate life and value of time on a whole new level!

For many years my father has been postponing a trip to the States to see my brother and his family. In February 2020 he finally got his USA visa and he was planning to come with us to Sasha’s graduation from Asbury University in May 2020 and then stay with my brother’s family for a few weeks while we would go to celebrate Sasha’s graduation by camping in Yosemite National Park and visiting our friends in California and Oregon. But of course, in March 2020 pandemic shut down the world and our trip got canceled. Sasha’s graduation was also postponed till October and it took place on TV screen rather than in person. We never did get to use our Yosemite campground reservations. We still hope to camp and hike there when the war is over.

But I am glad that in June 2021 my father did make a trip to the States and got to see my brother and his beautiful family. My dad’s USA visa is for 10 years, so he could have visited again, but then the war derailed our lives and hit my father’s health really hard. I am just grateful that he didn’t postpone that trip any longer. It was a very special time for my dad, but it meant a lot, I believe, to his grandkids too.

Carpe Diem! Seize the day! Don’t postpone life, don’t put off till tomorrow or next week doing what is important, spending time with loved ones, saying, I love you. Life goes so fast, even without pandemics and wars!