"I'm here."
They strike me as so poignant. She understood that everyone thought she was gone, and all the time she knew she wasn't "gone" at all. She was still here. How many times did she think those words? "I'm here. I'm here. I'm here."
Then she said three more beautiful words: "I'm free now."
"I'm here. I'm free now."
You could quote Shakespeare and Browning and Longfellow all day long and you would find no words more beautiful than these.
Amanda, welcome back. You seem like an amazing person. So strong - to have held on to who you are all these years. To have given birth and raised and loved your daughter in your prison. How long you have waited to break free. How long you have waited to say those words. I'm here. I'm free now.
Amanda, I am so very very glad that You're Here. Michelle and Gina, welcome back to the world. I hope it will treat you with nothing but kindness now.
Dear Melissa, thank you for speaking for all of us to Amanda. She is a valiant woman with so much fortitude and a deep soul. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI am so moved by this story. So heartbreaking and so triumphant.
DeleteSo heartbreaking, so triumphant, and so unexpected. I am sure that the families were beginning to doubt that they would ever see their girls again. The sort of happy ending that I would doubt in a book, but am more than thankful to hear about today.
ReplyDeleteIt's like when Elizabeth Smart was found - a miracle that we never would have believed, were it not the truth. I just want to hug these girls. The world should shower them with love from now on.
DeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI have to check this story out. That is so tragic.
Maria
Maria, it's the saddest, most horrific tale. And yet these amazing girls - how their spirits triumphed.
DeleteIt's such an amazing story, isn't it? I think "I'm free now" must be the best words in the world.
ReplyDeleteI know. Can you imagine how it felt for her to say those words??? What we all take for granted....I'm in awe of her.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! I love what you said and I am so glad that they are now free. I am so sorry for what they have had to go through, but the words "I'm here, I'm free now" are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad they're free too. What an awful thing they've been through and how brave they are.
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