A person reacts during an anti-war protest, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Moscow, Russia February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Realization sets in. One sits and cries in the cold.
WHY?What have we done to deserve this?
What will happen to us?
People walk down the boulevard ‘Strasse des 17. Juni’ ahead of a rally against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
People gather to rally in support of Ukraine. Berlin…Amsterdam…Chicago…millions from around the world stand together to march, shout, hold signs, wave flags, sing, and pray. The media is everywhere. It must be. The truth must be told.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – FEBRUARY 27: Thousands of people show solidarity with Ukraine at Dam Square on February 27, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier this week that has killed scores and prompted widespread condemnation from European leaders. (Photo by Cris Toala Olivares/Getty Images)In this aerial view, demonstrators gather during a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in front of Saints Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Church in Chicago, Illinois, on February 27, 2022. – Dressed in the blue and yellow of Ukraine’s flag hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets worldwide Sunday denouncing Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. From Berlin to Baghdad, from Washington to Saint Petersburg, demonstrators chanted “shame” against Russian President Vladimir Putin while others waved banners with slogans like “Putin murderer” or “stop the monster.” (Photo by CHENEY ORR / AFP) (Photo by CHENEY ORR/AFP via Getty Images)KYIV, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 26: Local residents are boarding an evacuation train driving to the west of Ukraine on February 26, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Explosions and gunfire were reported around Kyiv on the second night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has killed scores and prompted widespread condemnation from US and European leaders. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
So many desperate people. We have seen this before, many times over in different lands during the last hundred years. Truth is, this familiar story has been witnessed for thousands and thousands of years. Over and over and over.
What do we say to our children?
Please be safe. I love you so much but I am so scared.
photo by USA TodayJust the beginning of what was to come.photo from Financial Times
Transportation is uncertain, so they walk. In most cases, it’s a long walk. It’s cold. The children are confused. With each step, a sigh that this will end soon. This isn’t right. This makes no sense. Is the world going to let this continue?
photo by NPR
I don’t see apartment buildings in Wisconsin that look like this. It seems impossible, doesn’t it? Well, it isn’t.
Some people in Russia are trying to tell the truth and demand an end to the war. They keep at it, and I wonder how many protesters their jails can accommodate.
Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Moscow on February 24, 2022. – Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and triggering warnings from Western leaders of unprecedented sanctions. Russian air strikes hit military installations across the country and ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, forcing many Ukrainians flee their homes to the sounds of bombing. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Another generation will grow up on the wings of fear, anger, bombs, blood and death.
photo from The Herald
President Zelensky photo from The Current.pk
When I think of President Zelensky, I think of him as a young boy…as a teenager…as an actor and comedian. How interesting that it is he, this inexperienced politician, leads his country in such a way that the heads of world leaders spin and the hearts of his fellow Ukrainians beat with pride and a fervor to save their democracy. I am in awe of that man, as are billions of others.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – FEBRUARY 28: People take part in a protest condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 28, 2022 in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines. Protests have erupted around the world in support of Ukraine after Russian forces invaded the country earlier this week. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
It is 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, March 16, 2022. The war continues, and according to the news I hear, the goal of world leaders is to assist Ukraine as much as possible with military weapons, humanitarian assistance, and combat intelligence so that World War III can be avoided and nuclear weapons will not be used. Ok…but meanwhile?
I start each day with coffee and an update on the war. My eyes moisten with tears when I listen to Ukrainians tell their stories. Before going to sleep each evening, I listen to an end-of-day update and commentary. More moist eyes.
And then I go to sleep. I am warm. It is quiet. My elderly dog finds me and stretches himself along my right side.
This blog was originally titled "Drifting Toward Planet Elderly," and it shared a journey I had with my elderly parents as they both finished their lives battling the complexities of dementia. After both passed on, I changed the title to "Living on Planet Elderly." I am a retiree who is reluctantly adjusting to the reality that she is now elderly. In July of 2021, I relocated to Middleton WI after living in Columbia MO for over 40 years. I decided that I want to experience a new and vibrant location in a cooler climate with lakes...a bucket list item of mine. I have a first cousin who lives in Madison. We have nice childhood memories, and I thought it would be wonderful to spend some time together as elders. It was. AND THEN....in March 2023, I returned to Columbia. I had a wonderful time experiencing the Madison area of Wisconsin, spending time with my cousin, and making some wonderful friends. No regrets.
Living on Planet Elderly
Reacting to Images from Ukraine
March 16, 2022
Realization sets in. One sits and cries in the cold.
WHY? What have we done to deserve this?
What will happen to us?
People gather to rally in support of Ukraine. Berlin…Amsterdam…Chicago…millions from around the world stand together to march, shout, hold signs, wave flags, sing, and pray. The media is everywhere. It must be. The truth must be told.
So many desperate people. We have seen this before, many times over in different lands during the last hundred years. Truth is, this familiar story has been witnessed for thousands and thousands of years. Over and over and over.
What do we say to our children?
Please be safe. I love you so much but I am so scared.
Transportation is uncertain, so they walk. In most cases, it’s a long walk. It’s cold. The children are confused. With each step, a sigh that this will end soon. This isn’t right. This makes no sense. Is the world going to let this continue?
I don’t see apartment buildings in Wisconsin that look like this. It seems impossible, doesn’t it? Well, it isn’t.
Some people in Russia are trying to tell the truth and demand an end to the war. They keep at it, and I wonder how many protesters their jails can accommodate.
Another generation will grow up on the wings of fear, anger, bombs, blood and death.
When I think of President Zelensky, I think of him as a young boy…as a teenager…as an actor and comedian. How interesting that it is he, this inexperienced politician, leads his country in such a way that the heads of world leaders spin and the hearts of his fellow Ukrainians beat with pride and a fervor to save their democracy. I am in awe of that man, as are billions of others.
It is 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, March 16, 2022. The war continues, and according to the news I hear, the goal of world leaders is to assist Ukraine as much as possible with military weapons, humanitarian assistance, and combat intelligence so that World War III can be avoided and nuclear weapons will not be used. Ok…but meanwhile?
I start each day with coffee and an update on the war. My eyes moisten with tears when I listen to Ukrainians tell their stories. Before going to sleep each evening, I listen to an end-of-day update and commentary. More moist eyes.
And then I go to sleep. I am warm. It is quiet. My elderly dog finds me and stretches himself along my right side.
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About jjmummert
This blog was originally titled "Drifting Toward Planet Elderly," and it shared a journey I had with my elderly parents as they both finished their lives battling the complexities of dementia. After both passed on, I changed the title to "Living on Planet Elderly." I am a retiree who is reluctantly adjusting to the reality that she is now elderly. In July of 2021, I relocated to Middleton WI after living in Columbia MO for over 40 years. I decided that I want to experience a new and vibrant location in a cooler climate with lakes...a bucket list item of mine. I have a first cousin who lives in Madison. We have nice childhood memories, and I thought it would be wonderful to spend some time together as elders. It was. AND THEN....in March 2023, I returned to Columbia. I had a wonderful time experiencing the Madison area of Wisconsin, spending time with my cousin, and making some wonderful friends. No regrets.