The Book of Hugs

This book was written by a woman who is on your side and in the same boat as you. The “Book of Hugs” is a friend’s hand, a kind hug, words spoken at the right moment. Written with love, humor, great respect and tenderness. It can become the lifeline we cling to in moments of despair.

author’s foreword:

You are holding in your hands my first book about and for women who are waiting for a husband from war. Perhaps it will also help those who are waiting for a father, a child or a friend. I don’t know how it works, but while I was collecting materials, writing and reflecting on my experience of waiting, I gained peace, a certain inner harmony and strength of spirit. However, everyone has their own path, so I left pages for your reflections and reflections. As soon as you start writing your thoughts there, you will become a co-author of this book. And if you want your story to be included in the new edition, send a photo of the pages you filled in to my email address [email protected].

If you like The Book of Hugs, the new edition will have other stories — maybe yours?

Honestly, I don’t like writing, and the only thing that made me approach my laptop for half a year is the need to record my own experience (not military or refugee — but the experience of waiting and preserving a family during the war) and the experience of other women, which I understand — because for some reason no one publishes books about this! And they are so needed now. Because we all have to live in this experience and live it, unfortunately, for a long time.

Everything that I have written, and to what I have written I have also added the experience of my marriages, has one goal: to help someone — some woman, some family. Therefore, I will emphasize once again: this book is for women!
So thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life, your waiting. It is an honor for me!

And, of course, not a single page of the “Book of Hugs” makes sense without the work and sacrifice of all the women and men of the military, doctors, volunteers who defended, defend and will defend us from the eternal enemy. Thank you to each of you with a bow!

Hugs)

Iryna Bilka

The book is supplemented with comments from psychologists:

Galyna Tyutyunnyk — Ukrainian psychologist and psychotherapist

Since 2014, she has been working with military personnel, veterans, their families, internally displaced persons and people living in regions where hostilities were fought and in de-occupied territories. Author of the book “Lord of Wrath. Guide to Balance for Veterans and Military”, co-author of the publications “Art Therapy Rehabilitation of Military Personnel”, “Fairy Tale Therapy: Magical Practices for Positive Changes” and co-editor of the Danish manual “The Last Will of a Soldier”.

Anton Semenov is a psychotherapist, social psychologist, trainer of TRO instructors in psychological first aid, founder of the volunteer project “How are you, brother?”

Collects and analyzes current Ukrainian experience of communication with the military, and also creates and distributes manuals and lectures with ready-made communication algorithms. The goal of the project is a cohesive society in which every Ukrainian has the right to receive and provide support — and thus make the world at least a little warmer for others. The project actively involves volunteers and has no requirements for experience or education.