For Wendy and Alex

My tribute to Wendy the pioneer leading the way in all of this and my friend.

First, thank you for all the shortcuts you taught me that helped me to go from home study to being in the Ukraine in a short 3 months. Thank you for answering all my dossier questions and for patiently listening to all of my concerns. Thank you for documenting this whole process and making it easier for those following. Thank you for putting together lunches and parties so we could all meet and help each other along. Thank you for being here in the Ukraine when I got here and showing me all the ropes. Thank you for taking care of me and listening to all my woes. Thank you for helping me name my girls and for sharing my first moments as a mother. Thank you for entertaining me and making the long afternoons speed by. Thank you for helping me solve all my problems, (especially stinky feet) and for patiently listening to all my fears. Thank you for chocolate chip cookies, gummy bears, taco soup and all the little things you did to make me feel more at home. Thank you for your positive attitude and your courage when things went wrong. Thank you for your listening ear and caring heart. Thank you for looking out for me and being my friend. Thank you for your encouragement and advice. Thank you for always commenting on my blog. Lastly, thank you for making me laugh. I have so many happy memories and whenever I remember my time in the Ukraine I will always be grateful for you. Many have read your blog, but I was the lucky one who got to experience it with you first hand. You are an amazing person Wendy and you have touched my life. Thank You! The Ukraine just isn’t the same without you!

Alex,

I know in the coming months and years you will change so much. No matter how grown up, cool, or American you become, I will never forget the sweet Alex I knew here. The Alex who took care of us, who ordered all our food, who always made sure we were o.k. , the Alex who worried about us and loved us, the Alex who made us laugh with his pantomimes and jokes, the Alex full of sweet hugs and cute smiles and the Alex who cooked such wonderful salads. Your pure spirit has been a witness to me of the human soul’s ability to rise above any circumstance.