Life in the Nursing Home

It is, of course, very sad, especially for my mother, who has spent years of her days in the nursing home. She goes there every day, bringing a good vibe, and they play games. Of course, this comes with the usual 'ups and downs.' About a year ago, my father went through a phase where he simply saw no way out. Where he could, he wrote 'DEAD' in large letters with a thick marker. The activities coordinator came by with a beautiful Easter card, where each resident could write an Easter wish. Guess what was written on his card.

Self-Pity vs. Resilience

Why am I sharing this? I also feel pity for him and for my mother, and above all, sadness. It is tragic how life sometimes turns out. But I also know that self-pity might be the deadliest thing that can happen to you. I'm jumping from one subject to another, but we'll get there if you're patient ;-)

An Unexpected Twist | War in Ukraine

It was March 2022 when I got a phone call from my friend Theresa. She knew someone with friends from Ukraine, and they were taking in Ukrainians into their home. Her name is Valentina. At that moment, I was looking at an empty space behind my office, and I had actually been thinking about it the day before and discussing it at home. So I said, yes, let them come. It can be today. And so we did. We quickly decided to go ahead. Then a lot of furniture was delivered by my big-hearted friend, Theresa from Theresales. Theresa had also taken in Ukrainian refugees behind her shop. And we received a bed from our friends at Hotel The Happy Traveler. Such love! They arrived, of course, completely devastated by everything: Ira and Denis. Later, a third woman, a friend (Katja), joined them, and she was especially struggling because she had to leave her husband behind. For a while, there were four of them. I quickly realized that, although they were incredibly sad, there was no trace of self-pity among my new office/housemates.

Ukraine Food in Groningen

They went outside, they got into action. They grabbed life and a new opportunity with both hands. They started distributing Ukrainian meals at the Grote Markt, and soon they had the idea of bringing Ukrainian cuisine to Groningen. It spread like wildfire. Before they knew it, they were able to rent their own house, and now Ukraine Food has two locations in the city.

What I Want to Say

What I want to say is... You don't get far with self-pity. You have to take yourself by the arm, even though it’s incredibly difficult, and you are certainly a victim of what life throws at you. Of course, just like my father, you are entitled to your moments of self-pity. But after that, you move on.

Hotels in Groningen with Ukrainian Colleagues

Ira had been working for a while at Overnachten in Stijl, but of course, at some point, she didn't have time to make the beds anymore. She was quickly working full-time cooking for Ukraine Food, which now has two locations in the city of Groningen. And her cooking was just amazing!

Stories from Ukrainian Colleagues in Groningen

Our colleagues at Hotel The Happy Traveler also hire Ukrainian staff, and one of them shared her story. She had to write an essay for her English class, and it became her own experience! You'll be moved when you read it. But... there are probably more hotels and businesses in the city of Groningen that are very happy with their Ukrainian colleagues. I want to invite them to perhaps share the stories of their valued colleagues with us, so we can publish them along with the other stories we've gathered.

More Than 2.5 Years of War in Ukraine

Because although everyone is picking up their life again, the war has now lasted more than 2.5 years, starting on February 24, 2022. It must really feel like the world is abandoning you, like everything is just being accepted. This, while it is truly the daily reality for Ukraine and for Ukrainians in Groningen who pick up their life again every day. They take themselves by the arm. Yes, I’m really getting to the point now ;-)

Benefit Concert for Ukraine at the A-church on Friday, November 29

A special benefit concert for Ukraine is being organized this Friday at the A-church. By attending this concert, you support the Life Guardians foundation. At Life Guardians, they specifically work for orphans in Ukraine. So go to the A-church this Friday, November 29, 2024, and book your tickets here.

What can you expect from this benefit concert? Opera singer Yurii Godo will sing, and Yurii will perform several duets with mezzo-soprano Elina Mikheeva. The singers will be accompanied by Olena Maltseva (1st violin), Hanna Ignatenko (2nd violin), and Antonia Kolenchuk (cello). It promises to be a wonderful evening, and it ends at 10:00 PM.