Oh Viktor, I must say I drive by McDonald’s & think “yuck-not real food”. After reading your letter, I will see the Golden Arch differently. Hold onto hope. I lit a candle 🕯️ for you in church this morning…praying for the end of this war, prayers for your protection, prayers for all of Ukraine 🇺🇦. Thank you for writing and sharing your story. Much love from Florida, USA.
Sometimes I think Viktor's insights will serve us well. Who knows if we, too, will be sitting beside the ruins of our nation, trying to find the positives to keep us moving ahead.
Lately, I too find myself reminiscing about my younger days.
Looking at my high school yearbooks, listening to music from my university years,
Thinking about the clothes I wore at that time, running into old school friends, looking at photo albums from my childhood. It fills me with peace and joy. Those were the days. When we were happy with the simpler, meaningful things in life.
I find it therapeutic in a time of living in this nightmare.
Viktor, what a lovely memory to cherish and hold onto! It was full of a sense of hope and light-heartedness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
You have so much depth in your writings, in how you describe Ukraine, before and now, that bring out such depth of feelings as well as our memories inside us, your readers, and fellow sojourners in this too often difficult world. But we never give up seeking joy where we can find it, to balance it all out! God bless you, every single moment! 🕊️😇💞
I think it’s beyond wonderful that you indulge this happy connection. During COVID lockdown times my husband and I would go through McDonald’s drive through, park somewhere pretty and eat in the car. It was pretty rewarding when no restaurants were open. Made us feel “normal”. I’m glad you have this indulgence for yourselves in Ukraine. Your ability to find positivity in spite of everything is inspiring, as always. Thank you. 💙💛
McDonald’s also features in my pandemic memories. During lockdown, I couldn’t see my parents face to face as my Dad had been advised to shield due to his health. We used to go through the drive through, park our cars adjacent to each other, wind our windows down and have a safe, “socially-distanced” lunch date! These meetings were very special and allowed us to share that time together. So yes, it seems even McDonalds with all its faults, can have a positive impact on people’s lives 😊.
Yes! I get it! I do the same thing with music sometimes. There are old songs that were truly great, and songs that my child self thought were great but were SO bad, but I can listen to them all and smile. No harm done, no shame felt! (enjoy that sandwich)
Music can be a sort of time machine that takes us back to memories, some of which may even be forgotten until the first notes of some cherished piece. As Viktor has written, food can do the same. (That table of food looks amazing, Viktor!) It can be the odor of your grandmother's favorite perfume, the sight of a long forgotten picture. Any of these things can take us back to happier moments in our lives. There's no shame in that. It's just being human.
I'm glad you have that, Viktor. It can make the unbearable bearable. 🫂 my friend.
We have a McDonald’s about a half a mile down the street from our house. We don’t go there very often, but when we do, I always get the same thing - the fish sandwich - oops, I mean the Filet-o-Fish. It’s not the best fish sandwich, however there is something about the square piece of deep fried fish, highly processed American cheese, and a small glop of tartar sauce on a pillowy bun that I find hard to resist. Perhaps it takes me back to my childhood just as your visit to McDonald’s did for you. Thank you for sharing your memory, Viktor. 🇺🇦
I loved that story, thank you Viktor. When I was a little girl, I too went went with my family to McDonald's for the first time at 10 yrs old. It was exciting! New! A very big deal! It's a nice childhood memory, these are the thoughts that sustain us in difficult times. I'm glad you have that special memory and connection to the outside world. McDonald's is a global symbol of free enterprise, and how two young ambitious men started a global restaurant chain because they were brave and determined. It was revolutionary. Lots of good metaphors in that story. You are the same age as my eldest child, Viktor, this helps connect you with my own family. One day, you will eat in a McDonald's without fear of bombs falling. I promise you. 🇨🇦 ❤️ 🇺🇦
Viktor, once again your writing grabs my heart and brings tears to my eyes followed by hope. Every time I see those golden arches in America I will think of you my friend. Salva Ukraine 🇺🇦 🫂🙏💙 much love
Your story about the little boy and the colors and the feelings-brought wonderful tears to my face 🥲
I’m still human, I still have compassion!! Thank you for bringing these emotions forward with your writing ✍️
I too grew up with the Golden Arches of McDonald’s but in Los Angeles probably in the 60’s and it was the coolest thing! We didn’t go often but sometimes I was able to order French fries!!
Here’s hoping 🤞 McDonald’s opens again and you can go and have some nostalgia with your Big Mac and fries 🍟
We must all embrace our inner child and remember a simpler time when the world seemed to be full of hope and possibilities. God willing, days of plenty and peace and new opportunities will return and we can all run again like innocent children, spellbound with wonder. Let us all dream this future into existence. And have it start in Ukraine.
As a child McDonald’s was a special treat. If we use it that way it’s fine. I remember it as celebrating after swim meets with family and friends, not rushed meals on the road because we’re in a hurry as we use it now. We cling to what bits of nostalgia and hope we have and be they pictures of old friends or bites that remind us of different times, these things matter to help keep us strong and fighting for a better world.
You knocked it out of the park again, Viktor. Thank you. My kids worked at McDonald's as teenagers. When they complained, I'd say "Now you know what you don't want to do for the rest of your life." But kidding aside, they learned a lot. And yes, every once in a while, I enjoy a Big Mac. Thank you for giving me a new appreciation of the yellow arches and the value of innocence.🇺🇸🇺🇦
Viktor I love that story. Preserve it for that young boy who was amazed the world came to him; who was mesmerized by the lights and the colors. We all need some memory to cling to and if that was yours, hold tight
Oh Viktor, I must say I drive by McDonald’s & think “yuck-not real food”. After reading your letter, I will see the Golden Arch differently. Hold onto hope. I lit a candle 🕯️ for you in church this morning…praying for the end of this war, prayers for your protection, prayers for all of Ukraine 🇺🇦. Thank you for writing and sharing your story. Much love from Florida, USA.
Sometimes I think Viktor's insights will serve us well. Who knows if we, too, will be sitting beside the ruins of our nation, trying to find the positives to keep us moving ahead.
I agree
I like how you try to look at your world through your younger self. It was a happy magical time then. Opposite of today’s reality. 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Thank you Viktor.
Lately, I too find myself reminiscing about my younger days.
Looking at my high school yearbooks, listening to music from my university years,
Thinking about the clothes I wore at that time, running into old school friends, looking at photo albums from my childhood. It fills me with peace and joy. Those were the days. When we were happy with the simpler, meaningful things in life.
I find it therapeutic in a time of living in this nightmare.
God bless you and your people Viktor.
Viktor, what a lovely memory to cherish and hold onto! It was full of a sense of hope and light-heartedness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
You have so much depth in your writings, in how you describe Ukraine, before and now, that bring out such depth of feelings as well as our memories inside us, your readers, and fellow sojourners in this too often difficult world. But we never give up seeking joy where we can find it, to balance it all out! God bless you, every single moment! 🕊️😇💞
I think it’s beyond wonderful that you indulge this happy connection. During COVID lockdown times my husband and I would go through McDonald’s drive through, park somewhere pretty and eat in the car. It was pretty rewarding when no restaurants were open. Made us feel “normal”. I’m glad you have this indulgence for yourselves in Ukraine. Your ability to find positivity in spite of everything is inspiring, as always. Thank you. 💙💛
McDonald’s also features in my pandemic memories. During lockdown, I couldn’t see my parents face to face as my Dad had been advised to shield due to his health. We used to go through the drive through, park our cars adjacent to each other, wind our windows down and have a safe, “socially-distanced” lunch date! These meetings were very special and allowed us to share that time together. So yes, it seems even McDonalds with all its faults, can have a positive impact on people’s lives 😊.
I admire how you honor your inner child. More of us need to learn how to listen to our younger selves.
Yes! I get it! I do the same thing with music sometimes. There are old songs that were truly great, and songs that my child self thought were great but were SO bad, but I can listen to them all and smile. No harm done, no shame felt! (enjoy that sandwich)
Music can be a sort of time machine that takes us back to memories, some of which may even be forgotten until the first notes of some cherished piece. As Viktor has written, food can do the same. (That table of food looks amazing, Viktor!) It can be the odor of your grandmother's favorite perfume, the sight of a long forgotten picture. Any of these things can take us back to happier moments in our lives. There's no shame in that. It's just being human.
I'm glad you have that, Viktor. It can make the unbearable bearable. 🫂 my friend.
We have a McDonald’s about a half a mile down the street from our house. We don’t go there very often, but when we do, I always get the same thing - the fish sandwich - oops, I mean the Filet-o-Fish. It’s not the best fish sandwich, however there is something about the square piece of deep fried fish, highly processed American cheese, and a small glop of tartar sauce on a pillowy bun that I find hard to resist. Perhaps it takes me back to my childhood just as your visit to McDonald’s did for you. Thank you for sharing your memory, Viktor. 🇺🇦
I loved that story, thank you Viktor. When I was a little girl, I too went went with my family to McDonald's for the first time at 10 yrs old. It was exciting! New! A very big deal! It's a nice childhood memory, these are the thoughts that sustain us in difficult times. I'm glad you have that special memory and connection to the outside world. McDonald's is a global symbol of free enterprise, and how two young ambitious men started a global restaurant chain because they were brave and determined. It was revolutionary. Lots of good metaphors in that story. You are the same age as my eldest child, Viktor, this helps connect you with my own family. One day, you will eat in a McDonald's without fear of bombs falling. I promise you. 🇨🇦 ❤️ 🇺🇦
Viktor, once again your writing grabs my heart and brings tears to my eyes followed by hope. Every time I see those golden arches in America I will think of you my friend. Salva Ukraine 🇺🇦 🫂🙏💙 much love
Hi Viktor 🤗
Your story about the little boy and the colors and the feelings-brought wonderful tears to my face 🥲
I’m still human, I still have compassion!! Thank you for bringing these emotions forward with your writing ✍️
I too grew up with the Golden Arches of McDonald’s but in Los Angeles probably in the 60’s and it was the coolest thing! We didn’t go often but sometimes I was able to order French fries!!
Here’s hoping 🤞 McDonald’s opens again and you can go and have some nostalgia with your Big Mac and fries 🍟
Worth reading, worth feeling and worth the true gold and blue of Ukraine! Salva Ukraine 🇺🇦
I find that my younger self often has truth to speak to me, when I can listen.
We must all embrace our inner child and remember a simpler time when the world seemed to be full of hope and possibilities. God willing, days of plenty and peace and new opportunities will return and we can all run again like innocent children, spellbound with wonder. Let us all dream this future into existence. And have it start in Ukraine.
As a child McDonald’s was a special treat. If we use it that way it’s fine. I remember it as celebrating after swim meets with family and friends, not rushed meals on the road because we’re in a hurry as we use it now. We cling to what bits of nostalgia and hope we have and be they pictures of old friends or bites that remind us of different times, these things matter to help keep us strong and fighting for a better world.
You knocked it out of the park again, Viktor. Thank you. My kids worked at McDonald's as teenagers. When they complained, I'd say "Now you know what you don't want to do for the rest of your life." But kidding aside, they learned a lot. And yes, every once in a while, I enjoy a Big Mac. Thank you for giving me a new appreciation of the yellow arches and the value of innocence.🇺🇸🇺🇦
Viktor I love that story. Preserve it for that young boy who was amazed the world came to him; who was mesmerized by the lights and the colors. We all need some memory to cling to and if that was yours, hold tight