Seven years: now a message waits, still unread.
I recall the warm touch of your hand just before I slipped when soldiers came. I remember how afterwards I searched for you.
Three years of desert walks, of rape and famine; another two to get asylum. The last three years I’ve been building myself another life. A life apart.
I registered on refugees united, and now this answer waiting.
Alone or not?
Inhale, exhale.
With trembling hand I click:
Dear Miss Botende, Your mother is searching for you. She lives Stockholm now. Her contact details are attached: David Bemba (Refugees United)
I have read recently of what you can do for the refugees around the world, and this sent me to one of the services that existed. Refugees united is a service where refugees can register to find each other. Please have a look, there are some fantastic stories shared there. These days we need some happy news as well.
Friday Fictioneers is a wonderful blogging community run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who publish a new picture each week for us to write a story in 100 words.
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September 30, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
and what a swell of thanksgiving when a response is received.
Indeed.. a lot of reasons to be grateful
Dear Björn,
A well-written story that’s educational . Thank you for sharing that info. One never knows when it will come in handy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I hope it never come in handy for you or anyone else.. but if it happens it is good that it exist.
I like the hope in this piece: well done Björn.
I like the hope as well.. after seven years it might be needed.
I just heard a story on NPR about a group helping to set up a site like this. Gives one hope, as does your piece. Well written, as always.
This particular site is set up by UN and a lot of volunteering efforts from companies…
I like this, it’s well done Bjorn. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Seyi.. sad that it is needed, but good when it works out.
oh it is wonderful when families get united again. they’re about to build a refugee camp five walking minutes from where i live. think i will get involved in the work there a bit – sometimes the little things we do make a big difference for someone
I think helping people get united again is one of the best way we can do…
I’m glad there is a hopeful ending. A beautiful story, and thanks for that link. It’s good to know these sites exist.
I think it’s great too.. a lot of wonderful stories on that site.
Lovely story, and an intereting gem of information too. Well done.
Thank you.. I really love that these sites exists.
Heart-wrenching to know that people are out there searching for their loved ones after going through such torture and pain. The ending offers hopes…so does the information provided.
Nicely written story .
Thank you.. this time I picked something very real, and hopeful
a reason to “cry happy tears” (My son Jacob’s way of expressing that emotion of relief, gratitude and happiness)
I’m glad for such tears.. 🙂
Goosebumps. So much tragedy and joy packed into so few words.
Good with such goosebumps.
Interesting and topical. Good one!
Thank you Paul
it is a beautiful thing when families are brought back together especially after the circumstances that tear them apart. wonderful that you are writing to support the cause as well . we should use our art to do that more
I think we sometimes need to point out that there is hope in the world as well.
Love this, Bjorn.
janet
Thank you Janet.
Thanks for sharing the info. There IS hope.
There has to be hope.
How wonderful! I’m going to check out that site. Your story was wonderful!
Thank you.. I think sometimes we should help with what we can.. 🙂
I agree with you Bjorn.
I want to read her full life story – please write her diary – I’d buy it!!! Great piece.
I hope she will be able to write it herself one day 🙂
So uplifting. I, too, hope no one I knows ever needs this service, wonderful as it is!
So much joy that can be brought.. even after a long time.. I think it will be needed for many years now.
Absolutely!
Björn, this is such a beautiful and sadly current story. You’ve told it well.
Thank you.. there might be a hope also after the longest desert walk.
Dear Bjorn, I’m glad they have a service to hep reunite refugees. Your story is good and makes me pause to think how lucky I am to live where I do. Best to you! Nan
Stories like this exist.. and hopefully we can do something.
a happy ending. very nice.
Yes we need happy stories.
Bjorn, you regularly provide good perspective on current events. This one stands out. I feel it is one of your best ever.
All my best,
MG
Thank you. We need to show understanding sometimes.
I felt this was about a child that was separated from her mother when the soldiers came. It sounded like she went through hell.
I think it was.. and many refugees are separated, there are regular things happening under the chaotic events of a flight.
Such a tender response to the prompt, Björn. You’ve captured so much of what refugees experience. My daughter worked with Palestinian refugees in Syria; it is heartbreaking stuff. Thanks for the link. So true, we all need to be inspired and touched.
So good that your daughter could do something.. it’s worst when you are close to it.
love how the story ends in hope….
I’m happy I could give some smile.
What a tale of misery for so many. Well done.
A lot of misery, but some hope at the end.
Thanks for using your story to raise awareness Bjorn.
A privilege to have readers for my stories
That sounds like a good service, and a nicely written story to highlight it.
I think it’s an excellent service.. and many good stories from that service.
That is an awesome story, Bjorn. Very moving and sensitive to what is going on. One can only imagine all the stories those refugees have flooding in and through Europe, and elsewhere, wherever an escape route exists to allow them relocation and new life.
I wish so much that they wouldn’t have to leave, but uniting families has to be right.
I agree.
Scattered like leaves on the wind. Thank you for giving the refugees a voice. War is Hell.
There are so many stories, and today it’s possible to unite again.. Technology can help.
Brilliant piece, Bjorn.
Thank you 🙂
Love how your brought the anguish, the terror, the pain of separation with hope underlying it all. And the hope finally paying off.
It’s the stories making a difference.. Just wish I could write more of them.
You made this so very personal. Outstanding piece, Bjorn.
The personal view is what can make a difference.
Absolutely superb. Yes it is nice to hear some good news for the refugees and finding long lost relatives must be such a wonderful feeling for them. Sadly I fear a lot also find out sad news. But you’re writing emits a feeling of optimism.
But maybe even finding sad news is what can make you go forwards
Heartwrenching, Bjorn.
It is really.
Gut wrenching story Bjôrn, very timely and very well told.
Thank you. Yes so many things happens during a flight
I’ve been researching the International Refugee Committee for my class on human trafficking. Thanks for sharing this heartbreaking story. You know, sometimes we make connections in the most unexpected ways. Who knew a fiction writing group would bring ideas together in such a meaningful way. Well, you did, I suppose.
The reason I knew about this particular work is that it has been sponsored by the company I work for.
Well, I had no idea such a service existed until today. Thank you.
A lovely story – a beautifully visualized moment of connection.
You’ve taken this prompt to another level – so much story so sensitively told. Thank you for raising your readers’ awareness..
Wow, this one’s certainly power-packed, Bjorn. Very creative take on the prompt.
A moving piece. I clicked on the link you provided – so good it’s there so sad it’s necessary.
That is a wonderful service. Thanks for the story and the link. We needed that.
Timely and well-written story, Bjorn. That’s a great organization. 🙂 — Suzanne
We do need some good stories, Bjorn, with happy endings. I’m glad that such a service exists for people whose lives are destroyed by war. Great piece.
This was such a good story about hope and compassion of strangers.
Such a moving and beautiful story! I love how you write, Björn!
Fantastic story – the agony of the refugee’s flight, and the joy of reunion at the end. Thank you for sharing the information about Refugees United.
What an emotional piece that depicts such a tragic situation
Great post.