Tomorrow – February 24 – is the one-year “anniversary” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is not a pleasant memory for my friend Julie Tryukhan, who is one of 8 million Ukrainians to flee their homes and homeland by February 2023.
Julie left Kyiv for two reasons in August 2022 – their names are Mark and Polly. To ensure their safety and to give their children a chance to live their own lives, Julie and her husband, Dima, made the gut-wrenching decision for the three of them to come to the U.S. without Dad. Dima remains in Ukraine fighting for their country.
A few days ago, Julie was on my mind. I emailed her to see how she and the kids are doing. I was also giving her an invitation to join the Rotary Club of Farragut on Wednesday, March 29, to hear our speaker – Robin Wilhoit of WBIR. Robin has interviewed Julie twice now. I later realized I had failed to ask how Dima was doing. The two talk daily. So I emailed her again.
Julie Tryukhan’s kids sleeping in the basement of a building in Kyiv during bombing attacks
Here is her reply: “I barely talk to Dima now, because he’s been working 18 hours every single day for over a month now. With no days off, no sick leaves, no nothing. And whenever we talk, he is so exhausted he falls asleep 30 seconds into our conversations so I pretty much just watch him sleep. But that’s fine – he’s safe.”
As for his safety, so far so good. But Julie worries, of course, and that’s natural. But she is content to simply watch him sleep, knowing he’s safe. She usually calls him around 3 p.m. our time and it’s 10 p.m. in Ukraine.
I shared her words about Dima with a few people who know her and were on the “team” that helped her come to the U.S. And I shared with them my reaction to her words:
“… I asked her how Dima is doing. Her reply shows what a strong woman she is. What a sacrifice for her children. It’s humbling to consider the vast array of emotions she must experience every day. I count it a distinct privilege and honor to be her friend. And pray for Dima … and for Julie and Mark and Polly. And that this damned war will soon end.”
Mark is 4 and on Tuesday Polly will be 3.
The Rotary Club of Farragut, and especially Bill Nichols, was part of the team to help her leave Kyiv, go to Slovakia and finally to the U.S. The Rotary Club of Zilina, in Slovakia, was a key cog in this, as were Bill and Diana Vogel, her host parents when Julie was a Rotary Youth Exchange student here in 2007-2008.
In addition to Dima, Julie also speaks regularly with her mother and family left behind, with her in-laws and other friends. “They cry and we all miss one another, but I don’t cry. I’m all cried out. I’m the strong one and I’ll be fine,” she said.
She is 5,000-plus miles from home. That’s the reality. Will they ever return home and reunite? Will this become their home? Those are two of the unknowns for now.
After arriving here last August, Julie shared her thoughts with us and this is what stuck with me – “… My kids are safe. No more sirens, no more hearing guns and bombs falling and exploding, and having to hide out in basements. I feel comfort here, and it warms my heart.”
On the anniversary of the war tomorrow, she will be with the Vogels at their home and is planning a night out with friends to try a little karaoke. “I could not be myself on Friday. That would be so hard. This will help me cope and be happy.”
And happy is very good for this strong woman of 33, a mother, a wife and a friend to many. She deserves every ounce of happiness she can find.
Tom King is a career journalist and a past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. If you want more information about Rotary or are interested in attending a meeting or joining, please email Tom.