Impossible Odds

of the world’s enduring obstacles to development is the issue of education for children. This basic right is accepted in the United States and Europe—but not always in Africa and the developing countries. I will continue working on the problem as best I can with caring and qualified people.
    The overall effect of this experience has been to renew the spiritual sense in my life. I’d gone through a dark time after my mother’s death and felt so alone without her. I’m afraid I needed something to shake me out of my anger over losing her so early. It was the months in captivity that brought me back to the same sentiment I saw my father express in the middle of his grief over losing Mom, “God, I don’t understand you but I am choosing to trust you.” In his pain on that day, he gave me a gift I didn’t recognize until much later. I saw it out there while I was captive under the trees. I see it now.
    When it came to the simple goals of rejoining Erik, finallyhaving our baby together, and beginning our family life, the odds against us were impossible. Therefore we will raise this family with the knowledge that every day leading forward from this new beginning is truly a gift, a wonderful thing whose value cannot be measured.

    Just over nine months after her rescue, Jessica and Erik greeted the arrival of their son, August. © Erik Esbjörnsson

Selected References
    1. Bahadur, Jay. The Pirates of Somalia: Inside Their Hidden World (New York: Dutton, 2011).
    2. Wasdin, Howard E., and Templin, Stephen. SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011).
    3. Owen, Mark, with Lewis, Iowan M. No Easy Day (New York: Dutton, 2012).
    4. Lewis, Iowan M. Understanding Somalia and Somaliland: Culture, History, Society (New York: Columbia/Hurst, 2011).
    5. Harper, Mary Jane. Getting Somalia Wrong? Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State (African Arguments) (London, ZED Books, 2012).
    6. Biset, Blain, “Reduce Poverty in Africa—Educate a Girl” ( allAfrica.com , face page, English Edition, October 11, 2012).

Acknowledgments
    From Anthony:
    I will always be grateful to Erik and Jessica for trusting me to write their story. They endured months of long Skype interviews and my endless questions across the time difference of many hours between Seattle and Nairobi, and did so with graceful patience.
    Atria Books’ Senior Editor Sarah Durand was indispensible to this project. She pursued this story with determination, acquired the book rights, and approved the unconventional narrative style I was convinced this story needed. She has been a creative and positive advocate for this book from the beginning, guiding it through the publication process with sensitivity and skill, along with her most capable assistant, Daniella Wexler.
    Any book’s fate rests with the talents and abilities of its publishing team. Judith Curr, Publisher at Atria Books, and Paul Olsewski, Atria’s Vice President and Director of Publicity, put enough publishing muscle behind this book to see to it the world would come to know this story.
    Ann Clark at Edelman Public Relations handled the initial media barrage following the kidnapping and aggressively maintained Jessica and Erik’s privacy during their reunion.
    And finally, Sharlene Martin of Martin Literary Management put her company’s weight and personal acumen behind bringing this story to the world. The results of her efforts are here in every line.
    From Erik:
    To Jess: For being the magnificent person you are. Words cannot describe the love and admiration I feel for you. The courage and determination you showed during our horrible days apart as well as in the aftermath has cemented those feelings. Waking up by your side every day is a treasure, and we will now get to see and experience all those things we postponed, together. What an amazing gift, to share life with the person you love.
    To John Buchanan: For believing in me when doubt and animosity could have been the easier ways out. When times were tough you remained faithful and determined that Jess would come back alive and you gave me the strength I needed. The endless hours we spent on the phone were of paramount importance to me. Your dedication is inspiring. I am proud to be part of your family and I am learning by your example.
    To President Barack Obama: For your personal commitment in making it possible to rescue Jess. So many things could have gone wrong, but you made the tough