It’s two weeks after I left Kosovo, and here are my honest impressions of the time I spent there.
You are a beautifully strong, intelligent, and honest young nation. I’ve seen a mindset, a place of heart, in you all that demands change of your county. I’ve seen you take the initiative, and bit by bit, step forward in the direction you want to see the country move, for the better. You guys really do have a lot to offer. It makes me sad that sometimes you might not realize the power you have, and the difference, maybe small, but all together big, you are making for your country.
As my last week in Kosovo rolled up, I began receiving the question: “Are you excited to go home?”. The only thing that I could think to say was; “Why would I be excited?”. I was not excited to leave people who have really had an impact on me, whether if you realize this or not. Everyone I met, from all the Balkan region, have had in impact on me in their own way.
I am really humbled to have met people, around my age, who have more history in their few years than I could imagine. People who, as just kids, had to rebuild their homes time after time, after they had been set fire. People who have had to stand with their village, lined up at risk of being executed with their whole family. I am amazed by the strength it takes to grow up after all that. The only dead bodies I have seen were of those who were old, and ready to go. It was not the same for you. And things like that don’t have many words to describe the depths and expanses that form in the soul of such a person.
I’ve had more hospitality and help in Kosovo than I have had anywhere else. If I needed to get something done, but didn’t have the means to do it, you would pull the strings and make it happen. I’ve learned the raw power of an optimistic phone call to a few friends in order to reach a goal. It seemed intrinsic for you to extend a hand (At least, speaking as an American) to help in any way possible. Complete strangers had gone out of their way to help me reach my goals.
Thank you all for what you have offered me in friendship, and hospitality. As I got close to the end of my time in Kosovo I thought about how I hated that there is that possibility I might not see some of you ever again. I hate that, and really don’t want that to be.
So, if any of you ever find yourselves on the East Coast in the States, let me know!
Miss you guys. Hope to see you all again sometime soon.
Daniel