LA Times:An astonishing story of a Sudanese family reunited after 18 years

[Nothing Without Hope]

In this time of fear and tragedy, the story of this war-ravaged family demonstrates the power of holding onto hope. The odds against survival, let alone reunion, were unimaginably high, yet because the sons refused to give up, the "impossible" finally did happen.

This is a long article, and when you've read what this family went through in the war and all the years of their separation, you'll be inspired by their strength, courage and love.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-lostmom11aug11,1,1925002.story?coll=la-headlines-world
August 11, 2005
latimes.com : World News
THE WORLD

Severed by War, a Mother and Son Share a Moment Beyond Emotion

Anok Mangong had long believed her boys were dead. Years later, she is proved wrong.
By Edmund Sanders, Times Staff Writer

NAIROBI, Kenya

(snip)

Eighteen years ago, Arab marauders attacked Mangong's tribal village in southern Sudan, scattering her terrified family into the bush. Seven days later, Mangong crept back to her hut to find her husband's decomposing body and no sign of her youngest boys, Benson, 7, and Alepho, 5.

She eventually found her five other children. But the two boys never returned.

"My sons are dead," she told herself.

(snip)

Help arrived one day from a stranger who approached the family and offered to fly Mangong to Kenya for treatment. But the biggest surprise was who was behind the mysterious assistance: her long-lost sons.

(snip)

This story reminded me of Cindy Sheehan's vigil at Camp Casey. Though there can be no happy reunion, the strength, courage and love of this woman for her son are making history. In fact, the same issue of the LA Times has the most positive major media story on Cindy Sheehan that I have yet seen:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2000891
Thread title: LA Times:"Mother's Protest at Bush's Doorstep Raises the Stakes" GOOD!!!

I strongly recommend both these articles.