I was driving home from a grocery run and this kid no more than 4 years old caught my eye at a stop sign. He was staring at me and as I looked over at him, he smiled and waved. I smiled and waived back and he was so happy he got someone to wave back at him. I assume it was some game he was playing to see who would wave. I gave him a little honk-honk and left.
I don't know what the fuck happened to me but I got really emotional. All I could picture was a kid that probably looks exactly like him somewhere in a bunker having God knows what done to him.
I have had a very hard time sleeping over the past 5 years just thinking about the horrors. It comes at me time to time.
This particular moment hit me like a fucking brick. I went silent after and my wife noticed it. Obviously, I didn't say anything to her about what I was really thinking but man, that kids face is tattooed into my brain now.
I instantly recalled the videos I’ve seen of Russian forces liberating basements and showing kindness to the children. That is a small light in the darkness. It’s all so bittersweet. It really does crack you wide open. Empathy is good. You are good for caring. Bless you.