To the editor: As a Ukrainian residing in Los Angeles, I want this letter by no means needed to be written.
In February 2022, when Russia had began its full-scale assault on Ukraine’s existence, I wrote a letter to the L.A. Times about “Shchedryk” (often known as “Carol of the Bells” in a lot of the world) casting the music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych as not solely my homeland’s cry for assist, but additionally a beacon of hope. I believe again to that model of myself, and I can not relate to her.
Immediately, my smartwatch notifies me of air-raid alerts in cities the place my family members dwell. The horrific “ping” sends me to googling to search out out what occurred. Are these “simply” drones, or is it a ballistic missile assault? If it’s the previous, are they Kinzhal or Iskander missiles?
My 2025 self is aware of so many army phrases, but I lack easy phrases to speak about emotions — to reply the query, “How have you ever been?” from non-Ukrainians.
However because you requested, I’m tremendous. It’s simply that my cousin is at the moment on the entrance line. I name him “Little One.” He’s two years youthful than me, however he put collectively a will a number of months in the past. Little One has a will.
Just a few days in the past, he texted me again after not responding for a month. That was a superb day.
Shortly after I heard from Little One, there was an enormous assault on Odesa. My different cousin and his 2-year-old daughter dwell there. He’s an engineer who works for the native fuel firm. He responded that they had been tremendous.
However final New 12 months’s Eve, he was on the road throughout an assault on Odesa. A missile from quickly occupied Crimea actually handed above his head. His 14-year-old neighbor was killed.
There may be at all times somebody in my homeland who’s dying. I really feel I don’t should be requested, “How are you?”
However to provide individuals the courtesy of a solution, I’m armed with devastating photos on my cellphone. I nonetheless lack phrases. How do I clarify to non-Ukrainians that this will probably be actually the final warfare, the final peaceable days on Earth if there is no such thing as a justice for Ukraine?
I want I might convey you the hope of “Shchedryk.” However this time, all I’ve are notifications from air-raid alerts.
Victoria Pidlisetska, Los Angeles
