How the Hearts of Ukrainian Children Are Being Unexpectedly Lifted by One Woman’s Inspired Moment of Creativity
Sometimes we find it’s the unlikeliest thoughts that turn into the most impactful
Seeing the footage of refugees leaving Ukraine has been a heart-wrenching sight.
Seeing young children being torn from the childhoods and lives they once knew.; escaping likely death with few belongings and no idea where they will be staying the night is something we can’t even fathom.
It was scenes such as this that tore at the heart of one woman — Abigail Horne — and made her use any means she could to express her grief at what she was seeing.
A picture became etched in Abigail’s mind of a Ukrainian child standing, forlorn, and holding her teddy by the hand as she gazed at the uncertain world now facing her.
Abigail did what many writers do and used words to help remove the pain from within, to create some kind of order, meaning and hope.
She wrote.
What came out was a poem that brought a sense of hope, and an innocent joy that she desperately needed to build into the scenes that she was seeing on the television. That hope was initially for her own sanity and peace of mind, but she knew that many others could also benefit.
And so, she shared it on her personal profile on Facebook.
Abigail is one of these women who will speak her mind on social media, but with kindness and sensitivity.
She is honest and vulnerable and, through being so, has grown something that not many women her age – early thirties – have managed to do. Through her love of writing, and reading, she began her own publishing company, just for women. She then grew that business into a dynamic six-figure company by helping women to get their voices and their words out into the world and make good money doing so.
I first got to know Abi early last year when I was involved in a collaboration book project that her company, Authors & Co, would be publishing. I was immediately struck by how down-to-earth, honest, and kind she was. I instantly found myself drawn to her fun and expressive personality.
And so, when I saw what happened next with this moment of emotion-driven creativity, I wasn’t surprised.
{Poem — War Teddies}
Every time I see a child in Ukraine holding their favourite bear, my heart aches knowing which bears my own children would choose should we ever have to flee our homes. Every little person crossing a border, sleeping in an underground shelter or trying to survive this war is holding their special teddy… so I wrote this poem for them, in the words of their bears.
*I don’t normally share things like this but I just need to express that my heart and thoughts remain with Ukraine.
……………………………………………………………………
War Teddies By Abigail Horne
We’re going on an adventure today, So wrap up warm; let’s not delay. I’ve heard it may be cold outside, But it won’t be long ’til we’re back inside.
We’re going on an adventure today, So let’s pretend it’s a holiday. Sleeping on your blow-up bed, I’ll be with you, your best friend, Ted.
We’re going on an adventure today, I promise we’ll get a chance to play. Other children will be there too, They have their bears, and I have you.
We’re going on an adventure today, But for how long, no one can say. If you hear loud voices or a bang, Just remember, I’ve got your hand.
We’re going on an adventure today, We may be travelling far away. I promise I’ll keep you safe and snug, Just squeeze me tight if you need a hug.
We’re going on an adventure today, Let’s not split up along the way. Thankfully we can stay with mum, And soon enough, dadda will come.
We’re going on an adventure today, And everything’s going to be ok. From the day you ripped away my tag, I became your friend, through good and bad.
We’re going on an adventure today, It’s time to go now; we cannot stay. And one day you’ll say that you were there, In the heart of Ukraine, with me, your teddy bear. ~ Source
Her poem was shared hundreds of times in just the first few days and has now been shared thousands of times.
Following the virality of her poem, she was contacted by a woman, Catherine Heaton, who was so inspired by her poem that she started a teddy-bear collection for Ukrainian refugees, and asked if they could attach a copy of her poem to each teddy. Of course, she agreed.
“Please send me bears! Preloved or new, it matters not. We need to get the bear distribution stations at the reception centres, fully stocked so that as many children as possible passing through, gets a new friend to cuddle. I will attach a copy of the poem in Ukrainian, to each bear.”
The poem has been translated into Ukrainian and printed onto tags that are being hung around the neck of every teddy bear being sent to the refugee children. The mission has now been shared across social media and hundreds of teddies are being purchased on Amazon and sent to the relevant address.
Tiny gestures can make huge waves
This demonstrates exactly how every little person on this planet has the potential to change lives, and most of us have no idea how powerful we are.
Abigail’s moment of inspiration was simply to share her own little piece of creative expression. It goes to show how one little share on social media can change many lives for the better.
Thousands of shares on social media are still just a drop in the ocean when we think of the massive displacement of Ukrainian people happening right now.
But thousands of shares equals thousands of bears, and thousands of hearts lifted.
Never underestimate the possibilities in you to make a difference in the lives of others.
Please read this heartfelt and powerful piece by Linda Caroll:
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