I’ve been following Ingrid Batencourt’s hostage situation for what seems like forever–but for in her 6-year hostage ordeal was the blink of an eye. Read the full story from The New York Times here. 

A dual-citizen of France and Colombia, Batencourt took the great risk of running for presidency in Colombia in 2002, and was kidnapped by the notorious Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  As FARC’s highest profile hostage, she was held in the jungles of Colombia for 6 long years with, at times, up to 300 others, often battling jungle illnesses, inhumane treatment and despair.

The story struck such a cord in me because she was powerless as a mother for all that time–while her children grew up without her.  Her daughter was 12, her son 16 when she was taken.  I just can’t imagine the sadness of my children growing into adulthood without the ability to see or communicate with them even once.

Yesterday was truly Independence Day.  And for me, it was the first day I felt the visceral joy and jubilation of what it means (even if for someone I have never met) to experience freedom.