There are lots of things to post about. We had some internet problems, so I still need to catch up on our trip to Chernivtsi (a city in southwestern Ukraine very close to the Romanian border), Babi Yar (a site in Kyiv where thousands of Jews and Ukrainians were killed during WWII), and Amelia’s 2nd birthday.
But I decided I should write about some of my “leaving Kyiv” feelings before I forget them. In a word, I am sad to leave. I recall during the fall of 2007, hoping I could survive, and one night soon after we came when Darryl was in Moscow, I literally cried myself to sleep. Now I find myself wishing we could stay longer. There are a lot of things I will miss, and I am bracing myself for some major reverse culture shock.
As much as I wished we had a car to drive to church every Sunday, I think driving around everywhere and traffic are going to be a pain. Mostly putting 3 kids in carseats will be a pain. I’m sure Amelia has no recollection of such a thing.
I know we’ve mentioned the bread we like so much. I just love the warm, fresh loaves we get from the bread kiosk. About 11am is the time bread is delivered. If you go shopping too early in the morning, you’ll get yesterdays bread. I will miss that delicious bread. But I look forward to wheat bread.
I’m used to grocery shopping 3-4 times a week. Its just part of what we do. We go shopping for a few things and then play outside. Trying to get everything in one trip for the whole week sounds kind of weird now. A car will help with that, though.
I will really miss shopping at and just walking around the open market. I have never gotten tired of just looking at everything. All the fruit and vegetable vendors. The ladies that I usually buy from. They know we always get bananas, and if I don’t have all three kids, they ask where they are. Even the kid who sells raisins that gets all excited when we come. Then the rows and rows of other products and little stores. I love that I know our market. I know the areas of cheese, ham, kids clothes/shoes, household goods, candy, etc.
Even though I learned a small fraction of what I wanted to of Russian, I will miss at least understanding/using what I do know. And I realized I haven’t heard any swear words around me, since I don’t understand what people are saying.
I also actually enjoy hanging the wet clothes on the drying rack on the balcony. It’s kind of cool becauase I can just leave them there. Especially in the winter, they have to dry for a few days and I don’t have to feel guilty of not putting them away. It will be weird to have a dryer again. But I’m looking forward to having a dishwasher.
One thing I admire about Ukrainians is the value they place on children/babies. On the bus or metro if I have a child with me, someone immediately pops up so that I can sit down with my baby. They help my kids on stairs. Ladies are always commenting on and to my girls.
One of our favorite things here has been our branch at church. We have made friends with some wonderful people and it is hard to leave them. The senior missionary couples have been some of our favorites. We will miss them and they will miss Daniel! A couple of the senior elders love holding Daniel to remind them of their grandchildren. And the temple architect and his family have been in our branch for the past 9 months. He has worked on temples for 20 years, I think? That means the Prophet and others of the Brethren meet with him while the temple is being built and he gives them tours, etc. Darryl says he has great stories in Elders Quorum.
And the Ukrianian church members we have been privileged to know in our branch and the stake here. Recalling my missionary experience in Romania 10 years ago, I thought I could be an example to the members here. Guess again. There are so many amazing church members here. It is obvious why a temple is going to be built here. If I ever get around to it I should post about some of these members, and the stories I have heard from them. Truly amazing.
