Two years ago today we woke up around 5 am when the apartment building started shaking and the sound of evil explosions could be heard all over. That was the day our lives changed, and they will never be the same again. We have been living out of a suitcase since then and when I look at the suitcase it is not that big.

The world learned this during the pandemic – we don’t need a lot to live. A roof over our heads, a comfortable bed, a hot shower, food in the fridge … and of course, health, love, family, hope. The war has taken this all up a notch or two. I know so many people that are living out of a suitcase because of this war, and yes, it is not easy, but I still hear laughter. And hope is still there.

Yes, we don’t need much to live. We do need hope, and a bit of inspiration. What we don’t need are false promises, fickle friends, and anything do with Trump. Other things we don’t need include social media and Fox News.

The people I know in Ukraine have all become much more straight forward. That old expression of “say what you mean and mean what you say” is more and more the norm, and that is good. And people appreciate what they have, and enjoy the moment. We don’t need to take photos on mobile phones of every experience – we are not all photographers.

Life has become more simple since the war began, and the future is uncertain. What is for sure is that Ukraine will survive, and if I am wrong about this, then the world is going to hell.