An update on my parents - who are refugees from Kharkiv, Ukraine and have been living in California for a few months now. Life as a refugee is one of making endless adjustments with a constant reminder that what you actually want is far away and wrapped in painful thoughts no matter how you turn it around. It is not an easy path for anyone but with the help, things get to a better place.
California provided insurance for my parents and we are making rounds to see doctors - which has not been possible for them since the beginning of the war in February 2022. My parents walk every day - exploring the streets nearby. There are lots of new plants to identify and learn about. So far my library is the main source of books for them but we are going to take a trip to a public library this summer.
I participated in an online drawing event - pencils4tea with them. You can join from anywhere in the world via Zoom and people draw each other and each portrait is timed with a piece of music. Mom did not want to be drawn so I turned off her camera. But we drew for an hour side my side and it was a lot of fun - Mom did not have enough time to finish a drawing sometimes (see below) but I think with a little practice she will ace all the portraits. Dad enjoyed some music (whistling, little chair dancing and even singing) and did not enjoy some other pieces (eyebrows knitted, grunts) and I think he played a chess game online parallel to this all.
Following news from Ukraine is very hard for them - it is a complicated situation where they cannot do anything but so want to! Many of their friends are still in Kharkiv and the situation is not getting simpler around the city. More family members joined the army. Worry for the country and its people mixed with worry for the family are weighing on my parents a lot.
But last week we had some really good news from Kharkiv too - a few days ago my parents became great-grandparents for the third time :) We all wished a little one to grow up in peaceful times.
A few sketches to illustrate this all:
Mom's portraits from the Drawing Session:
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