International Peace Day!

Today is International Peace Day. While I personally have never suffered a true hardship as such (if you can call lack of electricity or running water 24/7, having to study in a candle light or having only a pair of flip flops as your only shoes for a whole year a hardship, then yes, I have had a hard life).

I did not have much while growing up but one thing I always had was a roof over my head, three basic meals, a loving family and above all, a place that I called home, I belonged to a village, a community. I had a sense of belonging. I was born in India and therefore an Indian, that was my identity.

Then opportunity knocked on the door, came to America and now I have not one, but two homes, my home where my family still resides and my adopted home, the United States of America. My children are privileged, they will always have a place that they can call home.

While I hear of the suffering of the refugees, I will never know what it is like to not have an identity, to not know where you belong. My heart goes out for them, I feel sad whenever I watch a news segment, then quickly forget about them. But this time, I haven’t been able to forget since watched them being compared to skittles. Has it really come down to this??? This great nation who opened the door for me and millions like me, was great then and it still is and will do the right thing. Sorry friends, I know it's only a Wednesday, but Friday came early, and this is my rambling! I am sad and distraught. Please do let me know in the comments if you too are struggling with the current state of affairs. This painting or mural stands on the front wall of my house where I grew up. My Jagruti house.

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