Level 4

   February 24, 2022

February 24 changed our lives forever. I will never forget this day. It divided my life into two parts - before and after the start of the war. Early in the morning, the Russians began bombing Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. I woke up with a call from my husband. He told me about the start of the war. I didn't understand him. But when I looked out the window, I saw many cars on the way. It was unusual. People left Kyiv. We heard alarms and looked for a place to hide. Some people were hiding in basements, underground tunnels, - in the subways. We hoped that this would not last long, because Ukraine would quickly win. Sometimes I thought it was a nightmare. The war changed my life and attitude toward many things. First, the war showed who our true friends are. Second, the war taught me to appreciate what you have. Third, the war forced me to do things that I did not do in civilian life:I helped other people, got help from other people, and moved to other places. Due to the war, I had to change my place of residence and lose my job. Thus, the war destroyed my usual life and changed my attitude toward life. I can't forget February 24. But I hope that we will soon know another date - the day the war ends, the day of Ukraine`s victory.

Written by: Віра Надієнко -Vira Nadiyenko

When I Became a Mother

May 22, 2012, became a date that marked my life forever. That day, one of my dreams came true. My daughter Bella came into my life to change it forever. There are three parts to that beautiful day. First, my water broke at six in the morning. After that, I took a shower. Then my husband took me to the hospital. Second, it was a difficult delivery because I was in labor for twelve hours with a lot of pain, and a specialist had to come and help me with the delivery. Finally, my daughter was born, and when my husband and I met our beautiful princess, we were filled with joy, happiness, and love. Also that night, my husband would not stop hugging our baby, and he even slept with her on his side.

Written by: Honorina Luna

The Birth of My Baby

I always remember the day my son was born, like it was yesterday. That day I was excited and happy , but I also worried, because I wanted my son to be born well and healthy. The contractions were very strong and the dilatations lasted a long time. I was very sick, but when my baby was born I was in love with him. My mom stayed with me the whole time. The father of my son arrived at the hospital before my son was born. The doctor was a joker, and the nurses were very friendly with me. In the hospital I drank only orange juice and I couldn't eat my breakfast, because I felt sick. In the hospital room there was a stretcher, and a clock, where I could see the time when my baby was born, and that was at 5:34 pm on Monday April 28, 2014. I named him Juan Jose, and his nickname is “Osito”.

Written by: Joanna R Santana