I’ve been thinking about a girl from my high school route years ago. Olena was an exchange student from Ukraine. A sweet, pretty girl with a nice smile. She’s probably close to thirty years old by now. She might have kids of her own. To me, Olena is the face of Ukraine.

One day I said to Olena, “I know a Ukrainian song.”

I picked up my guitar and played a tune called Schedrik.

Olena’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How do you know that song?!”

I said, “Everybody knows that song. We call it Carol of the Bells. It’s a very popular Christmas song.”

All I can do is hope for the best for Olena, her family, and fellow Ukrainians.