Conversations with Roman

It is less than a month now to when I set off to Ukraine, and I am now beginning to think about relationships. There will be great one to be made, but that does not concern me, it is the relationships i currently hold that sit on my mind. Last Saturday I had a farewell party with my family and friends of all ages. Of course there are many that were unable to attend, but that is more than alright, I still have a month to hop on the friendship roads.

Wether or not I am able to visit and say good-byes to all the friends before my departure, there will still be wonderful reunions, be they two years, ten years, thirty years from now in person, on the phone, digitally, or any other form of communication. I have this wonderful understanding that the greatest conversations can resume even after the greatest pauses known.

One friendship that has surprised me with its continuation is between myself and Beverly (mother of my ex-girlfriend). She recently put my in contact with a retired Ukrainian doctor and I had the great fortune of meeting him yesterday. The conversation between Roman and myself brought it to my attention to how little I know about Ukraine. His stories of corruption in the government, watching his in action during WWII, his emotions of thoughts in the east, and the tales of his love for Ukrainian music and dance all showed to me the wonders of first hand conversation opposed to book and internet research. These meetings, as he has insisted, will happen several more time before my departure. His excitement for throughout the conversation intrigued me. His daughter and her friend video recorded our conversation, as apparently, he rarely talks about his life in Ukraine. I have many thanks to Beverly and Roman.

Now that my trip nears, my blog involvement should be increasing. Unfortunately, we have lost internet in the Schwieterman Manor, so I may be throwing numerous blogs up at a time for a while.