From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv Day 930
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5
We often long for the peaceful past we had before this war. We often remind ourselves that things will never “return to normal.” Nothing will ever be the same. And our future holds so many variables that it feels safer to just freeze in the present and not even think about it.
Today, I saw someone’s post about what our hypothetical future might look like. The translation is below: —–
My generation will say to their children, “Don’t think about the view from the window. Choose an apartment on the ground floor.” We will ask what’s nearby and add, “Promise not to get one close to an airport.”
My generation will keep non-perishable foods at home. Even I, a person who hardly ever cooks. There must be groats in the house. And frozen butter and canned tuna. Salt. Sugar. And honey. My generation will remind their children, “In case of a power outage, the upper floors will not have electricity. Once again, take an apartment on the bottom floor! And try to get one by the underground metro station. ”
My generation will tell their children always to keep their cars fueled or charged.
My generation will not specify the reasons for their advice. But everyone will understand everything silently.
And the children? The children will quietly whisper to each other about the old lady getting crazier with her age.
And the old lady?.. The old lady will have a collective trauma. Trauma and, hopefully, wisdom. The wisdom of raising a new generation that can finally tell their children, “Get those glass windows from floor to ceiling, if you want. It’s okay. Russia no longer exists.”
—–
I’m afraid to think about this hypothetical future. However, I am still able to dream about the simple joys I will reclaim once the war is over. Carelessly strolling down Kyiv streets in the fall is one of them. May this time come soon, and may the Lord give us wisdom both in our present and future.
Voice of Ukraine 