My hardest trip
home to Ukraine

Anna-Nabiulina
Anna Nabiulina
November 20, 2022

Day 5

I was exhausted from the shock of previous days and yet I only slept for an hour and instead spent the time working and talking with my mother. As we consumed another breakfast without appetite, I heard loud noises followed by explosions.

My brother said we are under missile attack. I heard at least 3 missiles that flew over my parents house. We didn't have a bunker to run to and even if we did, we wouldn’t have had the time to reach it. My body went into shock, and again I found myself in tears . My mom gave me valerian drops to calm me down. After 30-40 min they started to take effect. Temporary relief.

We took the sleeper train to Lviv that evening so I could spend a day with my niece and nephew before leaving Ukraine. Normally trains are punctual, the airstrike had caused some damage and so there was a 6 hour delay. On arrival I received the biggest, longest hug from my 3 year old nephew which I will cherish forever. It reminded me of what we’re fighting for. The soldiers had told me I’d be back for sure. At the time I thought they were crazy. The journey to/from Ukraine takes ~35 hours.

That gave me plenty of time to think. I booked myself back to Ukraine on January 1st, 2023. This time in addition to bringing provisions to those who need it, I'll be bringing my nephew back to Bermuda.

photo-heroes

Greeting by nephew

photo-heroes

8 month old niece, born in a bunker during air raid