Life Changing Times

I have been lucky enough to meet a handful of true heroes in my life. These are not people who are perfect and who only tread the path of light – but rather those who are perfectly imperfect. Who know the dark, who make choices based on a visceral and first-hand knowledge of what the dark in them and others can do. The first one I met was Sudo Krpo and the below is my obituary to him, many things I never said but I believe he knew anyway.

Goodbye Sudo and may you go gently for you are truly one of the people who made this world a better place. I was introduced to you in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993 through your brave and wonderful niece, Monija, who told me you could help us. The understatement of the century – your guidance was the backbone of what we managed to do, our achievements were down to you. You broke my heart, Sudo, from the day I met you – not that I ever told you. You had survived war, concentration camps and torture, and yet you smiled, you exuded warmth and compassion, your drive was only to help others. You inspire me, Sudo – then and in all the years since – you are one of the drivers for the work I do, I strive to make a difference in the way you did. With honour, with humour, with compassion and passion, with the courage to stand by what you believe and not waver.

You, who had gone through a hell I cannot imagine, would be the calm, steady, smiling force of strength when it became overwhelming. That day in your office when the sirens went off and I looked at you, saying I still had to go because I had promised Ahmed I would come, you smiled and said I was crazy: no cars or people were allowed on the road. Then you showed me where the bicycle was and sent your colleague with me so we could get through the check points, as we cycled like crazy amidst the madness with the soldiers laughing at us – but we got there and I fulfilled my promise. You understood, Sudo, without explanation because my small act of bravery was a drop in the ocean compared to what you did every single day. I don’t use the word hero lightly, but you deserve the title and so very much more.