We introduce to you Liuda and Yana Shozda, who arrived from Ukraine just in time for the County Fair here in San Juan County. They are a lovely mom and daughter couple, worn out by months of the war in their home country and a long, arduous journey from home in Ukraine to a new home and community in Farmington NM. We picked them up and headed to the fair at
McGee Park. Pam and I introduced ourselves and, in the conversation, entioned we have three grown kids, two boys and a girl. Sixteen-year-old Yana’s face lights up with realization of some common ground and responds, “THE SAME!” She clarified that, in her family, there are two boys, one girl. Yana is the youngest and is, of course, the girl. She and her mom left her brothers in Ukraine as many, many Ukrainian families have left their husbands and sons. Through the evening of carnival rides, county fair cuisine, and art/animal exhibits, we find there is much THE SAME between us. They are lovely people with the capacity for laughter and fun, compassion for others and, we find out, for farm animals. They are gentle and respectful. Liuda is a proud mom and provider. Yana is an inquisitive teen with a love for
family and a talent for language and volleyball. We are struck by their mazing courage as they venture out for a place of safety, braving language and culture with grace and gratitude.
THE SAME, yes… with, of course, a few notable exceptions: Our sons don’t have Russian soldiers targeting them. Our children’s parents didn’t have their homes threatened or bombed. Our family’s mom didn’t have her ability to provide snatched away because she had to choose safety for herself and her daughter. Our family’s mom didn’t go through the pain of leaving her sons to protect their homeland.
We are grateful to be able to sponsor Liuda’s and Yana’s stay here with the help and support of the Gordon Glass Sponsor Circle. We are grateful for the connection with the Shozdas and other Ukrainian families as they venture into this supportive community and bring their giftedness and struggles that we might share. Because, in a very real way, we are THE SAME.
Bill and Pam