November
14th, 2014
From
Bill
I'm
writing from Ukraine today because it is the 10th anniversary of George
Arthrell’s death. I went to Baby Yar to remember. It is a place in
Kiev where the Nazis in WWII murdered 100,000 people. WWII was a war that Dad
was in as a Merchant Marine. It was very stirring of course.
December
24th, 2014
From Bill
Merry Christmas to All! Happy AME party! I won't be able to
communicate on Christmas because I am going to the war zone in Donetsk to give
Christmas presents to refugees living in a camp chased out of their homes by
Russian terrorists. It will be an exciting adventure and the right thing to do.
I'll be safe; don't worry. Claudia, please read to all on Christmas Day. I wish
I could be there, but this (Ukraine) is just something I have to do. I love
you!
December
30th, 2014
From
Cece
Justin, Kelly, Sage and Ash are safely back in
Austin- Kelly is teaching a cooking class tomorrow night and Justin went back
to work today. Mykey headed back to work, Margaritte was sick and Millie came
over to be with us today. We took down all the Holiday decorations and started
getting the house ready to be back to normal.
On Christmas
we opened presents quickly, spent the day with a seven course Italian meal on
Christmas, talked about you and you doing such a good job following your bliss
in your passions. We all had our Christmas Eve service at All Souls-no John
Wolfe and Marlin out sick-no you. It was not as satisfying-although the kids
were awesome.
The holiday
lights have been great, Dan and I loved taking Sage and Ash to Rhema Bible
College to see the lights while Justin & Kelly had a date night out. Sage
rang a jingle bell saying “HoHoHo Merry Christmas!” for almost an entire hour.
Watching the people’s faces light up as they walked by and look at his face
full of joy was truly amazing!
Remember
you are loved!
December
30th, 2014
From
Bill
Thank
you for your Holiday letter. It sounds like you all had a wonderful Christmas!
Sage with "Ho Ho HO" already! Wow. I want to clarify a few things; actually
my main objective is NOT to follow my bliss. This time in my life in Ukraine is
to do something for someone else.
A
nationality that has been oppressed its whole history; a country under blatant
attack from Russia; a country riddled with corruption that just enriches the
super-rich and leaves 80% in dire poverty. A country that lost 100 protesters
to POLICE SNIPERS, A LAND THAT HAD 7 MILLION starve TO DEATH IN A PLANNED
FAMINE BY STALIN. Did you know besides the "heavenly 100" that
perished at the Maiden that about 30 protesters just disappeared? And, 1,000
were wounded? Imagine if some of the protesters at Kent State just disappeared
after May 4.
So I
went to Donbas for Christmas. I spend $500 on Christmas presents for refugees
from Russian terrorism. It's my second visit to this refugee camp in the war
zone I have donated thousands of dollars to Ukraine; even overdrew my checking
account. It is also gratifying, exciting, exhilarating being in a country where
people have to fight for their freedom and really care a bout democracy. In USA
everything is just taken for granted and people are so apathetic. Life is
painful here; gritty and real; a dark Dostoyevsky novel. It is deeply
rewarding, but terribly lonely. I am not here for me, I am here for them.
December
31st, 2014
From
Cece
Bill,
in many ways I feel your life has been for others, not yourself.
You were there for your parents always.
You were there at Kent State to represent the
need for outrage at actions taken.
Your poetry reflects seeing the world for
others through your eyes.
You dedicated all the years teaching history
to inner city teens opening up the possibility that they feel connected to a
greater world than their own.
I think we all have meaning and purpose to why
we are alive-yours has been about responding to the world, caring about others,
and loving history-what else is ahead for you?
December
31st, 2014
From
Bill
Thank
you for such a tremendous letter. It was so supportive, and thanks
for acknowledging me in such a well-written way for what I have already
done. I really feel appreciated and honored.
Tomorrow
and Saturday I will narrate a movie! It is about the tragic history of
Ukraine leading up to the Maiden massacres and the Russian invasion currently
in the East. It's a little hard to communicate the full
intention of the motive because of my language barrier with the director.
I
will return to America on January 29, 2015, at long last. By that time I
will have spent 4 months of my life in Ukraine. And I have traveled to
many sensational other countries in this part of the world. Then it is really
time for me to move on in life. I have dedicated basically a year of my
life to this great land. And I am not even Ukrainian! I would like
to give one more presentation at Mac's Backs on Ukraine. I was in the war
zone twice and have agonizing pictures of the destruction. I also
went to a refugee camp twice and donated much money, gifts, and chocolates and
just spent my last Christmas there.
It
will be hard to let of Ukraine because this has been one of the most overwhelming
and meaningful experiences of my life. I hope I don't see it was black or white
(as I usually do) and can include my support for this nation without it being
my total life.
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