Oksana and the Shadow of War

Hello, my friend. I am Oksana (Оксана), a girl from Ukraine.

A land where golden sunflowers follow the light even after storms,

where songs rise brave through dark nights.

It is a place of warm soil and strong souls,

where hope takes root again and again,

no matter how many times the wind tries to break it.

Do you know what Oksana means?

It means praise.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

Hello, my friend. I am Oksana (Оксана), a girl from Ukraine.

A land where golden sunflowers follow the light even after storms,

where songs rise brave through dark nights.

It is a place of warm soil and strong souls,

where hope takes root again and again,

no matter how many times the wind tries to break it.

Do you know what Oksana means?

It means praise.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

Just a few years ago, I lived in a small town near the Dnipro River. I loved my blue bicycle, my cat Zirka (“star”), and drawing sunflowers with my grandmother.

Then one day, the war came and changed everything. Loud sounds replaced the laughter outside.

One terrifying night, we had to leave quickly. My father stayed behind to help, while my mother took my little brother and me across the border.

We traveled for days by train and bus carrying one small bag, a photo, and a broken sunflower brooch from my grandmother’s coat.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

Just a few years ago, I lived in a small town near the Dnipro River. I loved my blue bicycle, my cat Zirka (“star”), and drawing sunflowers with my grandmother.

Then one day, the war came and changed everything. Loud sounds replaced the laughter outside.

One terrifying night, we had to leave quickly. My father stayed behind to help, while my mother took my little brother and me across the border.

We traveled for days by train and bus carrying one small bag, a photo, and a broken sunflower brooch from my grandmother’s coat.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

Now I live in Germany. I keep my memories in my heart. I go to a German school and understand some words, Guten Morgen, Freundin, Hausaufgaben, but sometimes I still feel that my voice doesn’t fully belong.

I have fears and I’m learning not to hide them. Loud noises, especially fireworks, make me tremble. They remind me of the nights of war. I’m afraid of speaking German wrong and of never seeing my father again. But my mom says fears grow smaller when we talk about them and ask for help.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

Now I live in Germany. I keep my memories in my heart. I go to a German school and understand some words, Guten Morgen, Freundin, Hausaufgaben, but sometimes I still feel that my voice doesn’t fully belong.

I have fears and I’m learning not to hide them. Loud noises, especially fireworks, make me tremble. They remind me of the nights of war. I’m afraid of speaking German wrong and of never seeing my father again. But my mom says fears grow smaller when we talk about them and ask for help.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

But I am learning ways to feel safe again. My mother says that when we understand our fears, they grow smaller.

So I draw, I draw sunflowers and rivers. Drawing helps my body relax.

And when fear becomes loud, I touch my sunflower charm and breathe.

 It reminds me:

“I am safe now.”

Oksana and the Shadow of War

But I am learning ways to feel safe again. My mother says that when we understand our fears, they grow smaller.

So I draw, I draw sunflowers and rivers. Drawing helps my mind relax.

And when fear becomes loud, I touch my sunflower charm and breathe.

 It reminds me:

“I am safe now.”

Oksana and the Shadow of War

I’m learning how to face my fears.  My mother tells me that loud noises are not bad. Fireworks mean celebration, ambulance sirens mean helpers are coming, and loud cars are not dangerous.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

I’m learning how to face my fears.  My mother tells me that loud noises are not bad. Fireworks mean celebration, ambulance sirens mean helpers are coming, and loud cars are not dangerous.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

I want to give you a sunflower keychain, too. Whenever you feel unsafe, hold it in your hand and whisper:

“Fear is not real.

I am safe.

I belong.”

Oksana and the Shadow of War

I want to give you a sunflower keychain, too. Whenever you feel unsafe, hold it in your hand and whisper:

“Fear is not real.

I am safe.

I belong.”

Oksana and the Shadow of War

If you miss someone far away, let’s write a letter together. I write to my father every day. I even write to my grandmother in heaven. I’m sure she can read my letters.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

If you miss someone far away, let’s write a letter together. I write to my father every day. I even write to my grandmother in heaven. I’m sure she can read my letters.

Oksana and the Shadow of War

When you keep me and my sunflower close, you help me overcome my fears too. And together, the world begins to change one tiny, shining step at a time.

Rumi once said:

“Don’t say the world is full of darkness;

light a candle.”

Oksana and the Shadow of War

When you keep me and my sunflower close, you help me overcome my fears too. And together, the world begins to change one tiny, shining step at a time.

Rumi once said:

“Don’t say the world is full of darkness;

light a candle.”