Thanks, @dswigle! I know you are praying for good to return and I thank you.
The life Magda and I had prepared for when we retired was totally changed, both spiritually and materially. We kept putting things off for ourselves, thinking that when we didn't have to work anymore it would be better. Life decides otherwise. We hope it will be good for Ilinca's mother and, implicitly, for Ilinca. Obviously, Ilinca doesn't understand what is happening but she is, as you say, deeply scarred.
I wouldn't want to tell that story. Telling you helped me and thank you again!