Trying to make sense of the World we live in – A chat with those closest, helps to calm nerves!

This is another blog entry, I have been in two minds about writing, mainly because of the way I am feeling, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I am from a generation who understands just how bad the last Cold War was and, consequently, just how close to World War III we have come in the past.

Last Sunday I spoke to my Father on the telephone; during our weekly chat the both of us generally talk about politics, so this week has been no exception. I explained my concerns to Dad, who, at fourteen years old, was able to remember the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After thinking for a moment, he explained, in that 'Dad voice' I remember from childhood, that everything would be alright and told me I shouldn't worry. According to my Father, the nuclear deterrent would stop both sides from annihilating each other in a third World war, and he had faith negotiations would prevail.  As for me, well, I'm not so sure!

The two photographs above illustrates just how little we have learnt from nearly eighty years of peace. The top picture, shows a Father waving goodbye to his child, as he stays behind in Kyiv to fight the Russian invaders in 2022. Below, an American soldier, similarly waves farewell to his infant son, as he leaves for Europe to fight during the Second World War; photographs taken eight decades apart, but in very similar circumstances. Why the hell are we still fighting wars? Putin is no different to Hitler. The situation today is so similar it is uncanny; an autocratic leader invades his neighbour to protect his citizens. Ring any bells? History is indeed repeating itself!

As a natural worrier, I have never been so anxious, as I have been this past week. I have been making my voice heard on social media, and many friends and colleagues have been less than impressed. Preferring to block out what is happening in Ukraine, they have deleted me from their Facebook. In truth, I couldn't care less, if I have an opinion, I will voice it. I am so upset by the extreme scenes of suffering in Ukraine, that I feel I have to speak up, as all of us should. If people want to bury their head in the sand, then so be it, I am just not one of them.

Of course, I am also afraid of the future. Putin has already threatened to use nuclear weapons, and all of us should be aware of what could happen, just as we were during the Cold War. With the war not going to plan in Ukraine, I can see a situation when President Putin's anger supersedes rational judgement, and he does consider pressing the button. He is totally unhinged at the moment, according to most sources I have read, and this makes him a danger to the World. There is nothing I can personally do about this crisis, so with no control, I am feeling backed into a corner and, like everyone else, just waiting to see what happens next; these are indeed anxious days. Some of us show it more than others, and I feel it difficult to function normally under these extreme circumstances. I remember during the Falklands War in the early 1980s, I felt exactly the same and was never able to handle the fear I felt every day. I am a peacemaker, not a warmonger, it conflicts with my sense of wellbeing.

The horrific scenes in Ukraine have been heart-wrenching and disturbing. I am not a person who often cries, but I really have shed tears over the last week. The Russians have intensified their attack on the people of Ukraine and the human cost is mounting. People are dying unnecessarily, in a war they don't understand. None of us are clear as to why there is fighting. This is Putin's war, not Russia's or the Russian peoples.

Listening to the despair, as refugees reach the Polish, Moldovan and other borders in the West, it is clear just how much damage this illegal war is causing. Structurally, homes, businesses, hospitals, and infrastructure has been destroyed at an alarming rate. Yesterday even a nuclear power Station, the largest in Europe, was attacked, in a senseless, dangerous act, by Russian forces. So far, a million and a half people have left Ukraine with just a single bag. Old, vulnerable, young children, Mothers, and their family pets are crossing into other countries, trying to shelter from the war further East. As a result, the humanitarian crisis is getting worse and all of us have to do what we can to help.

At work, we have been collecting essential items for a local school to be sent out to the victims of this disaster. We are always a great bunch of people during testing times, as we were during the pandemic, and everyone is pulling together to collect and donate items to the poor people of Ukraine. Items are being stored at the Customer Service desk where I work, and it has been emotional seeing just how much people care. Spending up to a hundred pounds per person, colleagues are rising to the challenge and doing what good people do. None of us understand why Ukraine is being attacked, least of all civilians, indiscriminately bombed by an aggressive, advancing Russian force. I pray this ends soon, before this conflict spirals completely out of control.

With the World once again in turmoil, it was wonderful to see an old friend this week. Stephen was spending a few days in the South, after his Mother sadly passed away. I have known Ste for nearly thirty years, and he was one of the last people I saw before I left for Spain in 2018, which is actually the last time I saw him. Like me, he is extremely politically motivated and as well as catching up, we also discussed the state of the World. It does help to chat with other people, at least it does for me, because it allows me to get feelings and emotions off my chest.

Having been in the RAF, Stephen was able to reassure me, rather like my Father did, but like me, is aghast at just what is happening in Ukraine. None of us have had it good over the last few years and Ste has suffered more than most, but neither of us could have predicted the events of today, following the worst pandemic in over a hundred years. I think like most people, we just feel tired and exhausted of the constant difficulties, pressure, and chaos that feels all consuming at the moment. The fact I saw an old friendly face, does at least pull me back to reality for a bit and make me realise just what is important. The World may well be in a mess, but at least I have some uniquely special people around me, reassuring me, how great life can be. Friendships make the journey so much easier, and just as we have done so many times before, create a conduit for conversation, that our leaders could learn from themselves.

Whatever happens next, it is encouraging to know we are all in this together. The dark thoughts I have and not specific to me, they are a broader acknowledgement of the failure of leadership and the beginning of a new chapter in life, that is likely to be bumpier than before. With the support of all those around us, we will survive the oncoming pain, concentrating our efforts on the people who need it, remaining steadfast, resolute and sane.