Mother’s Day - A Special Holiday

Mother’s Day is a special holiday. On this day, with love and affection, we congratulate our dear mothers, with whom we will always feel like children. On this day, I always remember the warmth of my mother’s hands, her smile, and my soul becomes happier and brighter.

My mother is a simple Ukrainian woman, very friendly and hospitable, loving her children and grandchildren. She taught us so much and still shares with us good practical advice. Throughout her life, various events occurred, affecting our family and our country. I am always amazed and proud of my mother’s endurance, patience, and incredible strength, which allows her to overcome all difficulties and trials. And at the same time, my mother always remains kind to people and tries to share her optimism with them.

Back in 1986, our country suffered a great tragedy. An explosion occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, located near the city of Pripyat, releasing radioactive substances into the environment.  According to various estimates, the amount of radioactive material released into the atmosphere was hundreds of times greater than that released during the bombing of Hiroshima. The explosion was so powerful that contamination spread over large swaths of the Soviet Union, which at the time included Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. According to official reports, 31 people died immediately after the disaster, and 600,000 liquidators involved in firefighting and clean-up received high doses of radiation. Approximately 155,000 square kilometres of territory were contaminated.

At the time of the disaster, I was ten years old, and my sister was six. My mother, father, and I were visiting our grandmother in the village, helping her in the garden. I remember how one day, everyone in our family began complaining of feeling unwell. Headaches, dizziness, and nausea became more frequent. Soon, we heard on the radio about the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the release of radiation into the atmosphere. My grandmother’s village was about 200 km from the site of the disaster. We immediately packed our things and returned home to Kyiv. The situation was extremely tense, as the nuclear power plant was even closer, about 140 km. I remember my mother crying. She called a relative of ours who lived in the city of Feodosia in Crimea, asking if she could shelter us for a while. She called on an old landline, while my sister and I stood nearby, confused. The next day, we left, taking our little cousin with us. Dad stayed in Kyiv. Men were then summoned from various cities to participate in various projects that could minimize the consequences of the disaster. Background radiation levels in the city were constantly monitored, and an evacuation was organized. Work was carried out around the clock, and many specialists from Kyiv institutes were transferred to clean-up work at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.  Of course, this affected the health of everyone who was in the danger zone at that time and in the areas where radioactive dust spread. The effects of environmental pollution had a significant impact on the health of many Ukrainians. People began to suffer more often from allergies, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, and radiation also affected joint problems. To improve health, doctors recommended healthy eating and exercise. To protect against radionuclides, it was necessary to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Beets, carrots, pumpkin, apples, cabbage, brown rice, oats, and grated horseradish were considered very healthy. Drinking red wine was also recommended.

So, my mother and I went to visit our relatives in Feodosia. It was a difficult trip. My mother was alone with three children, and she was worried about the situation. I clearly remember how at one point our clothes and shoes were checked with a special device that measured radiation levels. It was a very unpleasant experience for me; I felt a sense of fear and shame. After we passed the check, we settled into my aunt’s house. It wasn’t easy for my mother because we were starting to acclimatize and started catching colds. I remember having a severe earache that night, and my mother went with me to the city hospital to see the emergency room doctor. At the same time, my mother was very worried about my father. At the time, there was no mobile phone service or internet, which made communication very difficult for people. We lived in this beautiful city of Feodosia for over a month. The city was located on the Black Sea coast, and my mother took us for walks every day so we could breathe fresh air.  My mother was very worried that what happened would affect our health.

Forty years have passed since this terrible disaster, and I thought our mother would never have to endure anything like this again. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine has become a new trial not only for my mother but for many Ukrainian mothers. I feel like the earth has been washed with their tears, and I want them to never have to cry again.

Our country has truly endured many trials; we, like people in Canada and other countries, have survived Covid. Sadly, my mother’s friend died from this disease, and I was very worried that my mother would get sick. I’m glad that didn’t happen and hope that no one will ever have to endure something like this again. My parents have lived in a small town for many years in their own house, near a river and a forest. I believe that being close to nature gives parents the strength to live many more wonderful years and bring joy to their children and grandchildren.

Being a mother is a lot of work, both physical and emotional.  I remembered how many years ago, when my son was a baby, a doctor came to my home to check everything was okay. Back then, it was common practice for mothers with babies to go to the clinic themselves.  I was tired after sleepless nights, and when the doctor finished his examination, I asked him when I’d finally be able to get some sleep. “Maybe when my son gets his teeth and starts sleeping more?” I asked. The doctor smiled and replied, “You’ll never be able to get enough sleep now.” And he was right. We will always worry about our children, no matter how old they are. Our children grow up and live their best lives. Sometimes they live far away from us, and we miss them. We mothers must come to terms with the fact that our children have become adults and no longer need us, that they have their own families, friends, and interests. But we still think about them and worry about their health. Sometimes our children make mistakes, and we, like angels, support them with our big wings. Mothers always experience great joy when they see their children’s eyes, and there is no better reward than hearing words of gratitude from a daughter or son for our love and support.

Mother’s Day in Ukraine is celebrated on May 10th. On this day, mothers are congratulated.  They are given gifts, flowers, and gratitude for their care. It’s customary to give flowers that bloom in May, such as lilies of the valley, tulips, daffodils, and others. Warm words are very important; they relieve any anxiety and lift the spirits.

I congratulate all mothers on this wonderful holiday and wish them good health, the love of family and friends, and all the best in this world.

The night of April 26, 1986, began as a routine shift at a nuclear power plant and ended in a disaster with consequences still felt today. The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant destroyed not only the reactor but also the traditional understanding of how nuclear energy was controlled. Decades later, the aftermath of that night continues to be studied, and Chernobyl itself remains a symbol of technological risk and human error.  The United Nations declared April 26 as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day-as a reminder of the cost of mistakes and responsibility to future generations (Source:RIA Novosti)