Dear Uncle Sombath,
I think of you often and I feel like talking to you. But it’s not easy for me to really start writing to you. I don’t know where you are and I guess our postman will have difficulty getting this letter to your hands. But I am sure this letter will be safe in many hands of friendship and faith.
Your name came to my life since 10 years ago through many of my senior friends. I don’t really know who you are but I learn a lot from my senior friends, who learned a lot from you.
Since December 15, 2012, I got involved in youth active participation to raise awareness of forced disappearance situation and its impact. You are not just someone in another country, you have already become a friend, even we don’t know each other in person.
People may think I am so good for taking action to ensure you will never be forgotten. Actually, I am not giving anything. I gain more than I gave.
Days by Days that I get to know more what you have done, I explore more about life.
Weeks by Weeks that I gather people to join activity together, I get more friends.
Months by Months I kept asking people ‘Where is Sombath Somphone?,” I found love.
I used to think it is so sad when a relationship with someone broke, yet you know where he/she is, and that’s enough. I used to think it is so sad when someone disappeared from your life and you have no idea what is going on with him or her, yet the memory and belief never left.
Thank you Uncle Sombath for all of this learning.
Wherever you are, take care of yourself. And so do we.
Peace,
Saksinee Emasiri (Ying)