2399. Good Friday 2022 © Bruce Goodman 15 April 2022

Valentyna had four children. They were trapped in the centre of the city surround by invading Russians. Her fourteen-year-old son, Bohdan, had gone out for an hour or so in search of some food. Her husband had volunteered to fight the Russians. She did not know if he was dead or alive. There was a knock at the door. It was a nice man who said “Quick! Gather the children and we can take you out of the city and into a safer place.” “But I have a son who may not be back for an hour or so.” “It’s now or never,” said the man. Valentyna made a decision. She gathered the three children and left. “It is safer,” said the man, “for the children to travel with other children and you will be reunited at the point of arrival.” The children left on a bus. Valentyna boarded another bus. She never saw her children again. They were taken and shot. She was bused to a Russian “Filtration Camp”. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story