In the first days of the full-scale invasion, Nataliia’s family was determined to stay in Irpin! There was a basement, food and firewood in the private house, and faith in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their hearts. But when the neighbour’s garage exploded, followed by another building on the street, and then the neighbouring house caught fire, the nerves gave out. The family left Irpin with heavy hearts – Nataliia’s elderly parents remained in the city and refused to leave. Pensioners born during the Second World War were destined to experience its horrors again. And miraculously survive. Upon her return, Nataliia did not recognise her parents – they were exhausted, had lost 15 kilograms, and her father had been wounded. But her eyes shone with joy – from a meeting she could not have hoped for.