You are a true inspiration to me and thousands of others. Ukraine is not forgotten. You are not forgotten. You are in my heart and prayers each day. The hell you and your people have had to endure is criminal. Please keep writing to us. Please keep fighting. Know we have your back, even if our government is failing you and failing us. Good will prevail. God bless Ukraine. God bless America.
Dear Barb, at the time I got you comment to answer, it started to play in the radio an instrumental version of "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from Stevie Wonder. This song makes me stop everything at everytime when I listen to it. Mentioned the song not only just to say thanks to your words, but also to say "I just comment to say I love you" for your care, your kindness, and your prayers. 💙💛💙💛
Many don’t know that Stevie Wonder was also an exceptional activist in the Anti-Apartheid movement to free Nelson Mandela and oppose the regime that operated a fascistic Christian Nationalist regime dedicated to suppressing most of that population. Great photos on line from this period with a quick search.
Some believe that the current U.S. administration is trying to create a similar culture to satisfy the nostalgic pangs of a small handful tech bro overlords/oligarchs that were raised in Apartheid South Africa and yearn for the old days, but at scale.
Stevie would probably be glad to know you are finding solace in his music as you fight to keep your freedom!
Yes, as Gil Duran has documented in his writing and on his YouTube channel, appropriately named "The Nerd Reich." The entire world is in danger of their dystopian goal to eliminate countries and replace them with "Network States," ruled by their whims and half-baked white male supremist philosophies. Add those to unregulated Artificial General Intelligence and crypto currency and you have the new world order: Technofeudalism.
Dearest Viktor, don’t worry about responding to every comment. Use your time & energy to continue what you are doing and that is ‘holding testament’ to what is happening in your country, to your friends & neighbors, to your family and to yourself. When this is over, you will use your journal to write another book. And I pray that at that time, your life & spirit will be filled with peace & maybe, even a little bit boring. 🇺🇦💛💙🇺🇦
I wanted you to hear the first thought that was in my head before my smooth editor rephrased the immediacy of my initial reaction to your beautiful message. Your writing astounds, as always. I am so glad to have found your newsletter.
I wish also that you weren't meeting us because of war. And how poignant and indomitable that in the face of death and destruction, your will and heart to live has created a worldwide network of love and support. Surely that is stronger and more lasting than any grenade, because it can never be taken from you.
Please keep writing. This reader, and I am sure so many others, will still be here. ❤️
Dear Cynthia, if I had known someday in the past, before I even had the idea of writing a jourrnal, that I would find such a kind message as yours and such wonderful people like you, I would have stopped doing whatever I was doing in my life to start this Substack. I will never find the exact words you deserve to express how grateful I am, and mind you that a "writer" without words is not a small thing. We never chose war, we never chose destruction, but it's our duty here and there, to try to collect lessons from that and to testify to it in some way so it won't be forgotten, and maybe, who knows, a warning for humanity of the future. Maybe it sounds ambitious , but judging from the size of emotions we have been sharing here, who knows if we can get it? Sending my love to you!💙💛
I think I probably speak for many of us here that I don't just think of you when I'm on Substack reading your posts, but also when I watch the news, when I'm washing dishes, when I'm walking my dog, and many other random moments. Know that we really truly wish we could do more to stop this war and hopefully our collective heart Network here is doing more than we know. 🙏❤️
I'm so glad it resonated Laurie, thank you saying that, and you're welcome. I really do believe we all wish we could share our very heartbeats with those who are suffering in this war, if even for a moment. ❤🙏❤
Laurie, I am relatively new to Substack, so I hope I didn't screw this up, but I see another comment from you in my inbox, yet I don't see it here on this thread. Just in case I accidentally removed it when I deleted one of my own comments to replace it with the one above, I am pasting it here again to be sure that Viktor sees your beautiful message:
From Laurie: Viktor, once again your message very deeply touched my soul, and made me tear up. I cannot possibly convey the depths of my love and support to which I feel about what Russia has and continues to do to you, your fellow Ukrainians and once beautiful land. ❤️💙💛❤️
“What I do know is that I’ve lived most of my life thinking I had nothing inside worth offering.” I love that this old notion has been proven demonstrably wrong. We see you Vicktor💙Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
Dear Amandie, "self-doubtful" people like me need to read thousands of times that we are worth something, and thanks to you and our friends here, only because of you all, I'm starting to bring that notion to the past of my life. Thank you so much! 💙💛
As a neurodivergent person, I understand this feeling very well. And part of it comes from caring so much, as you do.
I agree with amandie24, you have a lot to offer. You are an excellent wordsmith, able to weave your experience and your emotion into language that we can feel as we read. Thank you for sharing with us.
I'm an old woman who has learned from experience it's often the quiet, introverted people filled with self doubt who are the best among us: they are kind, compassionate, aware of human frailty, and do not blindly defend errors of judgment, unlike our horrid president who has never once admitted a mistake or error in judgment even though he has made countless stupid, heartless, and uninformed decisions. You, Viktor, are among the best the human race has to offer. Thank you for reaching out to us.
In a Babylon 5 novel by Peter David, /In the Beginning/, there is a quiet little girl, whose barely older brother remarks on it to their old leader, who then shares his wisdom with the kids: "The quiet ones are the ones who change the universe... The loud ones only take the credit."
It's an awesome book all the way around; even if you don't know anything about the show, I highly recommend it. :)
One of those programs that actually lasted out the time it was thinking of lasting for, rather than being killed in the middle of something. Always great quotable lines. :)
Thank you so much dear Diane. It means a lot to hear that (to read, sorry), because it has been a deep exercise of self knowledge and finding my own emotions. This is something quite hard. But what really matters in life never come easy, and in some way I have learned to love this personal challenge which is every article I share here! 💙💛
The Ukrainian peoples' freedom and democracy are being threatened by a dictator outside of its borders. America's freedom and democracy are being threatened by a would-be dictator within its borders. I exchange letters with a Ukrainian teacher in Chernihiv, and we've found that we help each other to cope and hope for better days. Thank you for sharing with us, Viktor. You are helping us as well. Slava Ukraini!
Thank you for sharing your journal with us, Viktor. Your powerful, heartfelt words are what the world desperately needs to read, my friend. I encourage you to stay safe and stay strong.
Dear Norm, thank you so much. Safety unfortunately is not a thing I can ensure entirely by myself, but strength, this is something I have more and more at each day that passes, and a big part of it is because of your words of encouragement from you and our friends here on Substack.💙💛
Don't worry about responding to everyone (I, for one, save a lot of your essays and their comments on my home computer! If/when we get to meet each other, I'll trot them out for you, even if just on a stick drive! :D). I always figure when your replies aren't there any more that you have more pressing issues at hand!
We love everyone in Ukraine. Every time I call a senator or representative I tell them to support ukraine!! I call roughly 15 -30 a day. I don't just call the elected officials in my state but, every state. My heart is with you all the time and I never forget you when I'm talking with others. WE LOVE UKRAINE!!!!
Dear Dorothy, I accept your compliment only if you accept my mention that every artist has an inspiration, which means that you kindness is what inspires me every single time I came here to share my feelings. Sending lots of love to you too! 💙💛
Sending back a love from the size of Ukraine to you (remember that it's something, because we are the largest country in Europe when we don't consider that one that still tries to make sure we don't exist!)💙💛
Viktor, every night when I go to bed in a warm bed heated by an electric blanket, I thank God for this luxury and I pray for Ukrainians who are without electricity in the winter cold. Since the war started I have keep my apartment at the lowest temperature I can withstand at my age(78) out of solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through but know that you are loved and supported throughout the world. I hope Spring finds you in good health and hopeful. This war will not last much longer and Ukraine will mend and be prosperous and continue to be a beacon of light for all democracies.🇨🇦🇺🇦.
Victor. Many of us understand how you feel first-hand now. We are afraid of losing our country now for similar reasons. I love Ukraine and spent many years interacting with Mackeeper and a Canadian friend in Canada. I am 70 and my parents lived most of their lives in fear, as Americans of mixed race ancestry (black and white). We were just beginning to think we counted in this democracy and then ….Because we are quite diverse, I love, fear and hurt right now. I want you to know you are not alone and we are with Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people. Plus all good people everywhere. /Millie
Victor and Mildred, I am a white man on my second interracial marriage after the first wife unexpectedly passed away. But that loss seems small when I think of what you endure daily, and Mildred I know it's not the same as actually being "mixed". Even seeing the smoke from the Pentagon at a distance on 9/11, bad as it was, I can't imagine that on a daily basis and so close. I thank God that you keep us in mind, even as we pray for you.
We're over here for you, you're over for us, truly, and in ways we may never know this side of heaven.
You are a true inspiration to me and thousands of others. Ukraine is not forgotten. You are not forgotten. You are in my heart and prayers each day. The hell you and your people have had to endure is criminal. Please keep writing to us. Please keep fighting. Know we have your back, even if our government is failing you and failing us. Good will prevail. God bless Ukraine. God bless America.
Dear Barb, at the time I got you comment to answer, it started to play in the radio an instrumental version of "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from Stevie Wonder. This song makes me stop everything at everytime when I listen to it. Mentioned the song not only just to say thanks to your words, but also to say "I just comment to say I love you" for your care, your kindness, and your prayers. 💙💛💙💛
Many don’t know that Stevie Wonder was also an exceptional activist in the Anti-Apartheid movement to free Nelson Mandela and oppose the regime that operated a fascistic Christian Nationalist regime dedicated to suppressing most of that population. Great photos on line from this period with a quick search.
Some believe that the current U.S. administration is trying to create a similar culture to satisfy the nostalgic pangs of a small handful tech bro overlords/oligarchs that were raised in Apartheid South Africa and yearn for the old days, but at scale.
Stevie would probably be glad to know you are finding solace in his music as you fight to keep your freedom!
This administration is trying to create something even worse than mere Apartheid. It's trying to create the Fourth Reich.
Yes, as Gil Duran has documented in his writing and on his YouTube channel, appropriately named "The Nerd Reich." The entire world is in danger of their dystopian goal to eliminate countries and replace them with "Network States," ruled by their whims and half-baked white male supremist philosophies. Add those to unregulated Artificial General Intelligence and crypto currency and you have the new world order: Technofeudalism.
Dearest Viktor, don’t worry about responding to every comment. Use your time & energy to continue what you are doing and that is ‘holding testament’ to what is happening in your country, to your friends & neighbors, to your family and to yourself. When this is over, you will use your journal to write another book. And I pray that at that time, your life & spirit will be filled with peace & maybe, even a little bit boring. 🇺🇦💛💙🇺🇦
Bravo,Sherry.
You sir are a hero to Ukraine, to the world, to all of us.
Thank you, Viktor. We see and hear you. Connection is all.
Dear Emily, thank you for your connection and your care. 💙💛
“Holy crap, you did it again.”
I wanted you to hear the first thought that was in my head before my smooth editor rephrased the immediacy of my initial reaction to your beautiful message. Your writing astounds, as always. I am so glad to have found your newsletter.
I wish also that you weren't meeting us because of war. And how poignant and indomitable that in the face of death and destruction, your will and heart to live has created a worldwide network of love and support. Surely that is stronger and more lasting than any grenade, because it can never be taken from you.
Please keep writing. This reader, and I am sure so many others, will still be here. ❤️
Dear Cynthia, if I had known someday in the past, before I even had the idea of writing a jourrnal, that I would find such a kind message as yours and such wonderful people like you, I would have stopped doing whatever I was doing in my life to start this Substack. I will never find the exact words you deserve to express how grateful I am, and mind you that a "writer" without words is not a small thing. We never chose war, we never chose destruction, but it's our duty here and there, to try to collect lessons from that and to testify to it in some way so it won't be forgotten, and maybe, who knows, a warning for humanity of the future. Maybe it sounds ambitious , but judging from the size of emotions we have been sharing here, who knows if we can get it? Sending my love to you!💙💛
Thank you Viktor, my love right back.
I think I probably speak for many of us here that I don't just think of you when I'm on Substack reading your posts, but also when I watch the news, when I'm washing dishes, when I'm walking my dog, and many other random moments. Know that we really truly wish we could do more to stop this war and hopefully our collective heart Network here is doing more than we know. 🙏❤️
Yes! I was struggling to find the words to say exactly this!
Viktor, you have brought the people of Ukraine to life for me; you have shared your world. And you've made me a better person for it.
Love and hugs to you and your precious family. 🙏💙💛 Slava Ukraini! 💙💛
Thank you for your comment Donna, it makes my heart happy that I could share in a way that spoke for you too. ❤💙💛
Thank you both, for saying what I feel!
❤️❤️❤️💙💛💙❤️❤️❤️
I'm so glad it resonated Laurie, thank you saying that, and you're welcome. I really do believe we all wish we could share our very heartbeats with those who are suffering in this war, if even for a moment. ❤🙏❤
Laurie, I am relatively new to Substack, so I hope I didn't screw this up, but I see another comment from you in my inbox, yet I don't see it here on this thread. Just in case I accidentally removed it when I deleted one of my own comments to replace it with the one above, I am pasting it here again to be sure that Viktor sees your beautiful message:
From Laurie: Viktor, once again your message very deeply touched my soul, and made me tear up. I cannot possibly convey the depths of my love and support to which I feel about what Russia has and continues to do to you, your fellow Ukrainians and once beautiful land. ❤️💙💛❤️
Much like a flower growing in a garbage dump, the war has inspired you to writing and contributing something of value to world history.
“What I do know is that I’ve lived most of my life thinking I had nothing inside worth offering.” I love that this old notion has been proven demonstrably wrong. We see you Vicktor💙Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
Dear Amandie, "self-doubtful" people like me need to read thousands of times that we are worth something, and thanks to you and our friends here, only because of you all, I'm starting to bring that notion to the past of my life. Thank you so much! 💙💛
As a neurodivergent person, I understand this feeling very well. And part of it comes from caring so much, as you do.
I agree with amandie24, you have a lot to offer. You are an excellent wordsmith, able to weave your experience and your emotion into language that we can feel as we read. Thank you for sharing with us.
Long live Ukraine! 💙💛
I'm an old woman who has learned from experience it's often the quiet, introverted people filled with self doubt who are the best among us: they are kind, compassionate, aware of human frailty, and do not blindly defend errors of judgment, unlike our horrid president who has never once admitted a mistake or error in judgment even though he has made countless stupid, heartless, and uninformed decisions. You, Viktor, are among the best the human race has to offer. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Yes. Absolutely yes.
In a Babylon 5 novel by Peter David, /In the Beginning/, there is a quiet little girl, whose barely older brother remarks on it to their old leader, who then shares his wisdom with the kids: "The quiet ones are the ones who change the universe... The loud ones only take the credit."
Thank you for this excellent quote. It applies to so many people: scientists, true inventors, public servants and government researchers.
It's an awesome book all the way around; even if you don't know anything about the show, I highly recommend it. :)
One of those programs that actually lasted out the time it was thinking of lasting for, rather than being killed in the middle of something. Always great quotable lines. :)
Viktor you are a poet. The American People stand with you and Ukraine. Never stop writing. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
Sending all possible love to you and to the United States of America, dear Donna! 💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇸
Viktor, you write from your heart, and hearts respond. 🇺🇦💕🇺🇦
Thank you so much dear Diane. It means a lot to hear that (to read, sorry), because it has been a deep exercise of self knowledge and finding my own emotions. This is something quite hard. But what really matters in life never come easy, and in some way I have learned to love this personal challenge which is every article I share here! 💙💛
Viktor, I thought about dedicating today’s post to you because your heart is so evident. — https://open.substack.com/pub/dianesblueforum77/p/through-emilys-eyes?r=2sow8l&utm_medium=ios
Sending love and hope for Ukraine’s survival .
❤️❤️❤️
Linda Unger. Unger is my family name. Max Unger my great grandfather. My grandmother. My aunt, my uncle.
Sending all my love to you and to the entire Unger family, dear friend. 💙💛
And to you dear friend. I send love and wishes for your safety every day.
I wonder if you are distantly related in some way? 🤔
The Ukrainian peoples' freedom and democracy are being threatened by a dictator outside of its borders. America's freedom and democracy are being threatened by a would-be dictator within its borders. I exchange letters with a Ukrainian teacher in Chernihiv, and we've found that we help each other to cope and hope for better days. Thank you for sharing with us, Viktor. You are helping us as well. Slava Ukraini!
Hear, hear!! Slava Ukraini and long live U.S. democracy!
Thank you for sharing your journal with us, Viktor. Your powerful, heartfelt words are what the world desperately needs to read, my friend. I encourage you to stay safe and stay strong.
Dear Norm, thank you so much. Safety unfortunately is not a thing I can ensure entirely by myself, but strength, this is something I have more and more at each day that passes, and a big part of it is because of your words of encouragement from you and our friends here on Substack.💙💛
Don't worry about responding to everyone (I, for one, save a lot of your essays and their comments on my home computer! If/when we get to meet each other, I'll trot them out for you, even if just on a stick drive! :D). I always figure when your replies aren't there any more that you have more pressing issues at hand!
Please stay safe! :)
We love everyone in Ukraine. Every time I call a senator or representative I tell them to support ukraine!! I call roughly 15 -30 a day. I don't just call the elected officials in my state but, every state. My heart is with you all the time and I never forget you when I'm talking with others. WE LOVE UKRAINE!!!!
You truly write like an artist 🎨🖌️
Thank YOU with so much love 💕 ❤️💗
🇺🇸💙💛💙💛💙💛🇺🇸
Dear Dorothy, I accept your compliment only if you accept my mention that every artist has an inspiration, which means that you kindness is what inspires me every single time I came here to share my feelings. Sending lots of love to you too! 💙💛
💕
Your words and thoughts are beautiful and very moving. From Canada with love dear Viktor. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
Thank you so much dear Suzanne, a big and special part of my heart is colored in white and red with a maple leaf in the middle. 💙💛🇨🇦❤️🍁
Sending prayers, hope and love. 🇺🇦🇺🇦
Sending back a love from the size of Ukraine to you (remember that it's something, because we are the largest country in Europe when we don't consider that one that still tries to make sure we don't exist!)💙💛
Viktor, every night when I go to bed in a warm bed heated by an electric blanket, I thank God for this luxury and I pray for Ukrainians who are without electricity in the winter cold. Since the war started I have keep my apartment at the lowest temperature I can withstand at my age(78) out of solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through but know that you are loved and supported throughout the world. I hope Spring finds you in good health and hopeful. This war will not last much longer and Ukraine will mend and be prosperous and continue to be a beacon of light for all democracies.🇨🇦🇺🇦.
Victor. Many of us understand how you feel first-hand now. We are afraid of losing our country now for similar reasons. I love Ukraine and spent many years interacting with Mackeeper and a Canadian friend in Canada. I am 70 and my parents lived most of their lives in fear, as Americans of mixed race ancestry (black and white). We were just beginning to think we counted in this democracy and then ….Because we are quite diverse, I love, fear and hurt right now. I want you to know you are not alone and we are with Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people. Plus all good people everywhere. /Millie
Victor and Mildred, I am a white man on my second interracial marriage after the first wife unexpectedly passed away. But that loss seems small when I think of what you endure daily, and Mildred I know it's not the same as actually being "mixed". Even seeing the smoke from the Pentagon at a distance on 9/11, bad as it was, I can't imagine that on a daily basis and so close. I thank God that you keep us in mind, even as we pray for you.
We're over here for you, you're over for us, truly, and in ways we may never know this side of heaven.
You do matter. Your nation matters. Your thoughts put to words put on paper have made a big difference. Thank you, Viktor.