What We Were Made Of

For the last two days, I have been watching the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Please make no mistake; it is an invasion, and what we have known the world to be for so long is fundamentally changing. This piece is not about the politics of when and what we should’ve done; it’s about what I have seen of the Ukrainian people.

I’ve watched as regular citizens of Ukraine have taken up arms to defend their home, land, and country. I’ve watched as Ukrainians said goodbye to their wives and children, sending them to neighboring countries knowing that there is a probability they will never see them again, not knowing what the future will hold for them as they become refugees run out of their homes by a tyrant driven by self-interest. Perhaps it’s because I have seen the look in a person’s eyes when they know they are seeing things possibly for the last time, or perhaps it’s because I have children myself, but each time I see the images of parents saying their possible last goodbye to their families my heart feels the pain that must be rippling through their souls. I’ve watched as Ukrainian families huddle in underground train stations, families that look a lot like mine. I seem to keep finding my daughter and son in the faces of the children huddled, confused, and bewildered with their parents. I can’t help but wonder what they understand about what is happening.

As I monitor the Twitter account, public statements, and news surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, I am in awe of the contrast between his actions during this attack on his country versus that of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. President Zelenskyy has held firm even knowing that each hour that passes might be his last, knowing that he is the #1 on a kill list issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is quite the contrast from disgraced President Ghani, who fled his home, land, and fellow citizens.

I’ve heard the audio at least a dozen times between the Russian warship and Ukrainian border guards.

“I am a Russian warship. I ask you to lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary deaths. Otherwise, you will be bombed.”

“Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”

The Russians opened fire and killed all 13 Ukrainian heroes.

They are the definition of patriot. Akin to General Anthony McAuliffe’s “NUTS!” in response to the German Commander’s offer to accept his surrender during World War II, these men will go down in their history books and in tales throughout their country as legends.

For those of you that haven’t been watching this take place, for those of you who turn away when disturbing images of war and suffering are on your screens, you must watch. To not watch is not to respect what these people are going through. To not watch is to refuse to understand the reality that is taking place in our world. To not watch is to deny its existence passively. We must watch these things when they happen. We must acknowledge this pain and evil and not shy away from it because of the discomfort it causes us.

We are blessed to live in a country with sworn allies required to come to our aid. We are blessed to live in a country that is relatively geographically safe. It is easy to feel detached from the reality that much of the world lives. It is easy to get lost in social media advocacy and ‘’finding our true selves’’ when we haven’t felt the genuine hardship and brutality prevalent throughout the globe.

It makes me wonder if our country were in the same predicament, an aggressive adversary attempting to invade our country, take our land, take our homes would we take up arms to fight? Would we see men and women joining the cause to protect what is ours? Would families have it in them to get their children to safety and stay behind to fight for their country? I don’t know, which is sad.

I love my country, and I love my fellow citizens. I love our history, both the good and the bad. I love the rights that we share and take for granted more often than not. I would fight for my country.

If you’ve never asked yourself what you would fight for, I think you should. Everyone should have at least one thing they would fight for, and if you wouldn’t fight for your country and, in turn, your family, then I feel sorry for you. To have it in you to fight for your country and family is to have true passion and love that goes beyond platitudes and social media posts.

At one point, our country was full of men and women made of the same ‘’stuff’’ that the Ukrainians have pumping through their veins. Our country was built by men who were made of this ‘’stuff’’, the men who fought wars abroad, and the families that stayed behind and found ways to support the effort were made of this ‘’stuff’’. The first responders who ran into darkness to pull out survivors in New York City in 2001 were made of this ‘’stuff’’.

I hope we have not lost this inside of us. The ‘’stuff’’ that makes the ordinary man and woman extraordinary.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people. Stay strong and know that I am watching, and I will not turn away from what happens.