Yesterday, I was watching the intro to an SNL show which featured the Ukrainian Chorus of New York and I noticed sunflowers all around them as they sang "Prayer for Ukraine"...
I got curious, and decided to Google 'sunflowers ukraine meaning' and this is what showed up: "Throughout Ukraine's history, the flower has been used as a symbol of peace. In June 1996, to celebrate Ukraine giving up nuclear weapons, U.S., Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers planted sunflowers in a ceremony at southern Ukraine's Pervomaysk missile base."
On top of that, it's their national flower, something that I never would've guessed in a million years, but apparently they're one of the largest sunflower seed producers in the world.
This hit home for me, much like the images of mothers and grandmothers fleeing their homes...
Because I realized Ukraine holds the sunflower as close to the heart as I do. I started crying...then after a few minutes remembered this picture I took in Cuba almost five years ago.
Ukraine colors, first of all. Sunflowers second. It's even the photo I've been using for years on my Zoom and Google profiles. In that moment, I felt even more connected to Ukraine and what's been happening...
And also at a loss for what to do. I know things are scary right now. I know it's been a rough couple of years. And I know that these words don't solve any of these larger problems...
But hear me when I say that I'm here and I care about you. Your health, your well-being, your emotions, your worries, your dreams, all of it.
So I wanna ask you a question. How are you feeling today? What's on your heart right now? Hit reply and remember, all is welcome here. I'll do my best to respond with words that come through my heart and soul <3
Let's hope and pray that we'll be planting sunflowers in Ukraine soon.
All my love,
Kimberly
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