One of the best things about summer is time spent with family and friends; especially, those who live some distance away. What makes such time even more special is when your friend tells you that she has arranged a card-writing session for Postcards to the Front.

Diane Krompart arranged for us to meet with a group of artists in the small Ontario village of New Hamburg, a couple of hundred kilometers from our Millbrook home. She provided the art supplies. The women brought cards and LOTS of ideas and love!

We shared with the group some of what we have learned from personal connections about Ukraine’s struggle for freedom, gave a brief lesson in Cyrillic writing of supportive phrases, then got down to the important task of writing postcards — with artistic flair. And we hope that Ukrainian Defenders forgive our primitive efforts at writing in Ukrainian. Our intent is that of love and respect.

And, oh such beautiful work!

Thanks to this supportive group, another 60 cards are on their way to Ukraine. PLUS … one of the artists provided a batch of her beautiful art Christmas cards for our Christmas in July campaign. Keep those cards coming!

Each such meeting means that more Canadians become more intimately aware of Ukraine’s struggles. Yes, we see the information in the daily news. But at these gatherings, we personalize our connection with Ukraine, making it more than “just news”. And awareness about Ukraine’s fight for freedom spreads from these gatherings to other friends and family.

Many thanks to Diane Krompart for arranging a terrific postcard-writing session with a group of artist friends. Thank you all for your time and creativity!  Дякую тобі!

As an aside … our trip included the interesting and humorous play, Women of the Fur Trade, in Stratford, as well as a beautiful countryside drive deeper into Mennonite farm country for a stop at St. Jacob’s. Yes – we came home with pies and tarts!

And … did you know? Helen has had her toes painted yellow / blue since March 2022!