Blessed for another Thanksgiving

This is a day to celebrate the blessing of strength despite the circumstances.

THANKSGIVING DAY. A DATE THAT I ONLY learned existed because I have made so many American friends after the war. Because of the war. Precisely because writing about the war brought wonderful people from America close to me.

But remembering the importance of this date is not only a tribute to my friends in America. Instead, I will take the opportunity to borrow the spirit of this holiday and extend it to all the wonderful people from all corners of the world who are backing Ukraine.

Having your support is a blessing that we are extremely thankful for today.

Still, reaching the last days of this month with a thankful spirit is a challenge for many of us. This November was a month when we needed to endure one of the most tense elections ever experienced in America, with results that will, and are already, posing challenges and threats for those who stand for democracy and freedom.

For Ukraine, it has been a month of terror, despair, and sleepless nights. Our invaders are doubling down on attacks and employing new weapons to spread terror, and our biggest partners will, in weeks, have a president who, in practice, supports Russia against Ukraine.

Nevertheless, we have reasons to be thankful and honor this Thanksgiving Day. This is a date that reminds us that we are able to be resilient even in the hardest of times.

My heart is still beating, my brain is still capable of thinking, feeling, and remembering that we must be thankful for our blessings, even when we don't have them. Even when we don't have the most basic blessings like a reliable supply of electricity and internet connection (which makes me doubt if I will still publish this on Thursday, but anyway...)

But wait, am I writing about being blessed for what we don't have in ready supply? Not really. I mean being blessed for knowing the value of these things that may seem small but feel massive when we don't have them.

There's no more effective way to learn the value of something than when it is taken away.

We are blessed not for what we have but for what we carry in our hearts and our souls. And if we are embodied by justice, dignity, respect, and honor, these are among the biggest blessings one could have in life. For that, we need to be thankful.

Because, as you know, as the election results a few weeks ago showed, these are blessings that are not as widespread in our world as they should be.

* * *

If you fight for democracy, if you deem freedom a fundamental value, if you support Ukraine and Ukrainians, you are a blessed person.

And you can be thankful for being blessed, just as Ukrainians are blessed by having you by our side.

From my part, I feel blessed for being Ukrainian. Despite everything.

And I'm very thankful for this blessing that is an integral part of me.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, my friends.

🇺🇦

---

🔖 More than a newsletter, this is a community. We divide our lives, share emotions and establish a connection that has been amazing to me and comforting at the hardest times. I hope to reach you with an inspiring content and make at least a little difference in your perceptions about Ukraine.

If you aren’t yet subscribed to my Substack, please consider it, no matter if your choose a free plan or a paid one. Despite being a valuable source of help for me, the texts here will remain open for everyone regardless of choice!

📖 I’ve also written a book called ‘The Divine Comedian: Ukraine’s Journey Through Hell, Purgatory, And Paradise’. If you still haven’t read it, I welcome you to take a look and give me your opinion. It is available for free downloading in PDF and Kindle formats: