It's the 8th of March, the International Women's Day.
The photo is not recent, of course. But even in pictures, flowers would be relevant today.
The attitude to this holiday has been quite controversial in Ukraine recently as during the soviet time, its sense was distorted. The holiday turned into quite a misogynic event and has been considered sexist, at least in my circles. Still, as with many other holidays, I prefer to think of it as of something good, as of the holiday of spring, as of the holiday that means something for my older relatives.
This year, the International Women's Day takes a totally new meaning for me.
This is to honor the brave women who give birth to children in the bomb shelters of maternity hospitals, and even at the metro stations that now also serve as the bomb shelter.
I personally have a friend who is pregnant and due tomorrow. She had to leave the city on the 38th week, where the maternity hospital has already been arranged for her, and go to a different city, buy all the necessary things for her and the baby - everything under urgent and extreme conditions. Anyway, she's not losing control and positivity, she knows everything will be OK and the only thing she's worried about is the health of her baby. Isn't it worth admiration?
This is to honor our courageous and beautiful ladies who are now fighting alongside our dignified men. I believe females are a great, clever and appropriate addition to any army.
This is to honor the doctors and nurses who both save our soldiers and take care of the most vulnerable ones.
This is to honor my very own mom who cries every day worrying about me, as we are now in different cities, me being in one of the hottest ones.
To my sister, who had to make the hardest decision in her life and leave the city she adores - to evacuate her three kids to another country. Just like may other moms had to do with heavy hearts.
To all the moms who lost their sons and daughters in this horrible and senseless war.
A Ukrainian woman is so strong: protecting, caring, volunteering, fighting, supporting. Doing what she can do best. Staying herself, staying a human.