Looking back on these photos almost a year later (one of these days I will catch up) it is amazing thinking back to these times, when these activities were normal and dare I say unappreciated. Going on our 9th month of Covid, quarantine and limited interaction with anyone outside our bubble I cannot tell you how much I miss it. All of it, the mundane, the unexpected, the tiring, the normal. All it takes is a year of pandemic, quarantined living to realize how much you appreciate life.
First up, a tour of Kyiv we took with Gretchen. Thinking back it was so cold and I remember being worried Gretchen and Randy would be bored and I kept thinking about how I was getting hungry and I was worried about finding a place to eat. Now looking at these pictures I wish I could go back to these places, enjoy walking around with my mom and appreciating her visit, taking the kids back to the miniature museum in the Lavra that had all these intricately carved miniatures and they would love and most of all taking the time to relax, enjoy the cold crisp air with my mom and Randy.
Up next, Miral’s school. She had to take 6 month off but is back now. Teachers are masked and tested but boy oh boy am I grateful she is back and so is she. She maybe didn’t appreciate it as much last year but after a long time at home she was SO ready and excited to go back. She asks about school even on the weekends. She has two really good friends there, Naim and Laura and comes home singing a new song every year.
Haircuts at a salon. These were the days, before we were forced to break out Randy’s old clippers and self cut hair….To think I used to complain about sitting there for an hour having a coffee.
The ballet! We were all so excited to see Swan Lake. Adam did such a good job! Thinking back he had a terrible cold and had to keep wiping throughout the performance. Imagine this happening now?? Ah, the days when a cold was a cold and you could cram into a crowded audience to watch ballerinas in person. .
Adam’s winter conference at school. It’s funny how back then these conferences seemed so difficult. I had to take time off work, get over there without a car and then rush back to work. I would give anything to go in and spend a few hours at the school, see what the boys are learning, meet their teachers and friends! But I am lucky to have more time at home with the boys, to know very well (maybe too well!) what they are learning.
Well, this quickly turned into a Covid post on appreciation and gratitude. So on that note, I am very grateful that I live in a beautiful city with the most amazing running route right behind my house. I have been able to keep running through the winter, through Covid. Look at this view! I was so worried about our first winter in Kyiv, but in the end it turned out to be great! Who could have guessed what was right around the corner back then. We were lucky to have a few months of getting to know Kyiv in all it’s wintry beauty!
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