Moments of Grace: Lidiia’s Unfolding Story

At 86, Lidiia Martishyna had lived a life of quiet rhythms. An inspector who handled complaints, she had mastered the art of listening — a skill that would prove crucial in her most challenging years. Her home in Bakhmut was more than just an apartment; it was a sanctuary of memories, filled with books and the echoes of a life carefully lived.

Before the war, her days were simple yet rich. She would spend mornings reading, afternoons walking with friends, enjoying the measured pace of retirement. She had known loss — her family had dwindled over the years — but she remained resilient, finding joy in small moments.

Then came the war. Bakhmut transformed from a peaceful city to a battlefield. Her third-floor apartment, once a haven, became a ghost of its former self — windows shattered, doors gone. The constant proximity to a military installation meant endless bombardments. In April, when volunteers offered evacuation, Lidiia made the heart-wrenching decision to leave.

Her journey became a testament to survival. From Sloviansk to Morshyn, she moved between temporary shelters and sanatoriums, each place a mere stopping point. The uncertainty was overwhelming — electricity cut off, comfort stripped away, hope becoming a fragile thing.

“Every day is a gift from higher powers, ” she would say, her wisdom etched with both pain and acceptance. Her health challenged her — a congenital heart defect, dry eye syndrome — yet her spirit remained unbroken.

When Maria called from the Dell Loy Hansen foundation, offering her a place in Senior Chudo Village, it was more than just an opportunity. It was a lifeline. “Something incredible!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and gratitude.

To the younger generation, she offers a profound piece of advice: “Don’t lose opportunities. Value each day. We cannot know what tomorrow brings, but living in the present — that is what matters.”

Her dream of sailing on a cruise ship might have remained unfulfilled, but she found something perhaps more precious — a community that cared, a home that welcomed her unconditionally. Her gratitude for Dell Loy Hansen runs deep. “This person has a good heart, ” she says, “someone who truly cares about Ukrainians.”

In apartment 5Г.2a, Lidiia has found more than just a residence. She has found hope. Her life is a reminder that resilience isn’t about never falling, but about rising each time we fall. Each day is a new chapter, each moment a possibility.

Her story is not just about surviving a war, but about maintaining grace, finding beauty in unexpected places, and believing in the kindness of strangers.