Okay

Sometimes I am overwhelmed when I think about how fortunate I am on a day to day basis. I have food on the table every evening, a nice warm bed, clothes, fun shoes, friends a loving family and I have never been through anything super tragic growing up or even today. I have wonderful parents that are still married and an awesome extended family that’s super supportive.

All these thoughts came stirring into my head when I attended an event called Invisible Children. I knew of the organization from years past, but this year they produced a new film. And not only did they show the film, but an actual child (now adult) story featured in the first film, was speaking and sharing his story. 

His name is Jacob. He is sweet and compassionate and has probably witness more horrific things in his young life than anyone in the United States may encounter. Kids get kidnapped from their families and are forced to become child soldiers. Their leader is an evil man and makes these small children carry guns around and kill people. Every night Jacob would travel from village to village to stay out of this army, but eventually was captured. He fortunately escaped, but so many children don’t; small children stolen from their homes, taken from their families. It’s heartbreaking.  After he spoke I was able to catch his attention in the lobby and say hello. He shook my hand then gave me a hug and with a huge smile said, “Hello, thank you for coming.” His thick Ugandan accent came through clearly when he spoke, but I was taken back on how well he spoke English.

Events or moments like these are fantastic reminders that maybe it’s not so bad all the time. I don’t discount those hard days in life, but overall I’m okay.  It’s okay.