Imagine being able to see your parents or siblings for only 3 minutes after not seeing them for a couple of years.

NowThis has published a video about Mexicans who haven’t seen their family for almost 14 to 15 years. They had the opportunity to see their family for only 3 minutes thanks to the Border Network Of Human Rights.

The Mexico U.S border was opened for 3 minutes so that families were able to see their loved ones and give them a big hug. The gathering was called hugs not walls reunion. There were thousands of people from both borders who had the opportunity to embrace their family members on the Rio Grande Canal, which separates Texas from Mexico.

There was one U.S resident, Luz del Rio, who hasn’t seen her father for almost 14 years. It’s hard to imagine not seeing my dad or mother for that long. I feel that many people are guilty of taking their parents for granted but don’t realize it, including me. After hearing her story, I realized that there are individuals who don’t have their parents with them every day like we do. They are thankful for just having the opportunity to hug their family members for 3 minutes. A Mexican resident, Nora Rodriguez, had the chance to see her siblings, after not seeing them for almost 15 years. We all have those moments where we argue and fight with our siblings but are still able to see the next morning. Nora was so emotional after seeing her brother and sister, even if it was just for three minutes.

Fernando Rodriguez, executive director of the Border Network, mentioned in the video that there are children who haven’t seen their parents in so long. He also says that in the U.S there is a proposal made to deport and separate more families. I can never imagine having more people separated from their families because it truly is something difficult. Seeing the emotions and tears of the people featured in the video, made me get very emotional.  I could feel the tears of joy and sadness they were experiencing when they were reunited with their family for so long. They never knew the next time they would be able to see their family, let alone hug them. I feel that many of us aren’t aware of the effect that this border wall has on many people, and now the U.S President Trump is trying to build a bigger wall.

We are all so fortunate to have our parents and our sibling near us because many people don’t have that opportunity. We should never take our family for granted because they are crucial in our life. One doesn’t know the true meaning of family unless they have been separated from them for a long time. I am very lucky to have my family with me and hope that the people in the video are reunited with their relatives in the future.