The Kids of Ukraine

Team Happy Feet has gotten to meet some amazing people this month. We were assigned to 4 of the refugee houses. It was our job to check in on the Ukrainians living in our houses, making sure they have everything they need, providing the parents with some babysitting, and taking the families to fun activities around the city. With all the time we’ve gotten to spend with these families, we’ve been able to make some incredible connections and wonderful memories.

While I’ve had amazing moments with all the adults that we worked with, it was the kiddos who really stole my heart and I wanted to take some time to introduce them with some fun poems. *

Anna

Tiny feet on the hard pavement

One step, two step, falling behind the others

No matter how fast the little feet move

Always one step behind

But they smile and they wait

Because time doesn’t matter right now

There’s no rush to get

To the park with the flowers

And the ducks and the fish

The fish! How fun to watch them swim!

Tiny feet chase the big fish

All around the pond

Daisy

Only one week together

With no words to share

A language barrier scraps the sky

But smiles are the universal language

And smiles are made bigger with matching hats

Anna and Elsa – sisters connected

Torn apart, lost and confused

Letting go is hard

Kalli

Walking through the park

Ready to skip and dance and see the castle

Crossing the duck pond on a magic bridge

So much to see –

Ostriches and lions and sheep

A real-life zoo

For a real-life princess

Ivan and Kyle

Up and down, up and down

The giggles never stop

How much fun could this possibly be?

How long can you possibly want to do this?

Keep on going

Don’t stop now

Up and down, up and down

A never-ending game

Worth it for the never-ending smiles

We’re all here to watch and listen

To see the childish joy

Pure and simple – a bright, bright light

Anya and Alyssa

So much to do and fun to be had

Sing-along songs and puzzles

Makeovers and freeze tag

Videos and cookies

The hours fly by

Faster and faster as little voices squeal

And now it’s time to go

But I don’t want to!

Please let me stay

Please give me an hour more

Or if not an hour, then a minute

Any time you have, let me have it

Let me have these precious moments

Before the goodbye hits hard

Before one smile becomes the last

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Each one of these kiddos is so amazingly precious. They’ve each made their mark and left an incredible impression on me and my teammates. They’re each such special little humans that I’ve had the privilege of spending my time with. I’m so thankful for all the moments – big and small. I’m blown away that this is the life I get to live.

So, here’s to you, Anna, Daisy, Kalli, Ivan, Kyle, Anya, and Alyssa. Thank you for all the memories and the smiles. Thanks for stealing little pieces of my heart and letting me be part of your lives. I’ll keep each one of you tucked away for all the years to come.

Check out the sweet makeover we got from Anya and Alyssa!

*All names have been changed to protect the identity of the kiddos.