Is My Wife Dead? Ukrainian Lives Matter

Narrative Processing in the Russo-Ukrainian War

My wife (Natasha) in her classroom on the first day of school. August 25, 2025.

Is my wife dead were the thoughts rolling through my head.

Let’s start at the beginning before were get there.

No need for an alarm in the morning as my workday doesn’t start until 10:30–11:00AM. My circadian rhythm is tied to early mornings. Maybe it’s because of age, maybe it’s because Ukrainians are late bloomers, and those early hours are a time of quiet while most still slumber. This morning (Thursday) would be my first back to work after two days off. Dull light of morning broke through and I glanced at the time 06:29. Nah, too early, so I rolled over and went back to sleep as Philly snorted and readjusted himself once he realized I wasn’t getting up. He’s not a morning dog, so was content to just go back to sleep.

08:11. That’s late for me, as it’s usually a comfortable 06:45–07:00 that I am up, washing my face, and making coffee. I didn’t glance at the phone other than to check the time. Here in Solochyn, the war is a distant memory as the everyday pace of calm village life pervades every fiber of being. Philly was ready to relieve himself, so I let him into the fenced yard of the AirBnB to do his business. Chill near autumn air greeted me as I stepped out. That’s almost as wakeful as the first dose of caffeine. Almost, but not quite. I was…