I’m watching the bombings going on in Ukraine.  The fear of the onslaught has over 2-million people on the run.  Most are divided families, as the more abled-bodied stay back to defend their homes and neighborhoods.

The Ukrainians are demonstrating remarkable resolve.  They are prudent (getting out of town); brave (taking up arms); practical (being more resistant than anticipated, outlasting their attackers).

The normal newscasts show people surveying their wiped-out homes.  It causes me to reflect on what it would be like to “encounter a bomb” going off where you live.

First, you weep. It’s bitter.  It’s hard.  It’s unimaginable.  There is loss. Things that won’t be replaced.  It sucks.  Can’t run from it.  Embrace it.  It’s real.

Next, accept the help that is around you.  People show up when tragedy occurs.  They bring what they have to help ease the pain.  Receive the help.  Let the neighborliness of your community minister to your heart, soul, body, and mind.  That’s what humans do.

Next, pick up the pieces.  There’s probably treasure in the rubble.  Sift through it.  Collect it.  Prepare to carry it forward.  There’s brokenness in the rubble.  Take account of it.  Note its demise.  Put it aside for disposal.  Count it as lost.  Spend time coming to terms with what’s been lost, to put the loss in its place, and to figure out your new reality.

Next, rake your foundation clean.  You can’t rebuild until the new foundation is ready.  Again, the community stands ready to help.

Finally, build back.  Lay a brick.  Take hope in what’s coming.

There’s no time frame for this.  Could take days.  Might take months.  But the process is certain.  Weep and grieve.  Get some help as you do so.  Process the loss and start again.  Resolve to build back.  Don’t get stuck in grieving and loss.  Lean into the community and rebuild.

Grateful that we aren’t dealing with an invasion, but aware we are all subject to coping with life-changing bombs.