Just watched Blood Brother on PBS - left me in tears

If you have an opportunity to catch PBS's Independent Lens program featuring Blood Brother - just be sure to have the tissues handy for a good cry.

According to the Independent Lens website:

Why would someone leave everything behind to devote their life to helping others? Director Steve Hoover explores that question in Blood Brother, the remarkable story of his long-time friend Rocky Braat, who did exactly that. A young man from a fractured family and a troubled past, Braat went traveling through India without a plan. There he met a group of HIV-positive children living in an orphanage — a meeting that changed everything for him. ]]

Braat left his life, friends, and career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to live with the kids. Filmmaker Steve Hoover was intrigued and unnerved by his best friend’s radical life change. In an effort to find out what compelled him to give up every source of stability in his life, Hoover decided to trace Braat's story, following him to India.

He witnessed Rocky and the kids endure disease, abject poverty, and death. But in the midst of all these troubles, he also saw their deep joy, and came to understand why Rocky had given up everything he had to experience it. Blood Brother is a story of friendship and of life stripped down to its essence.

There a some clips that give you a sense of the film on the site's homepage

www.pbs.org...

The real stars of the film are the amazing children who have HIV/AIDS, are orphans, and living in insane poverty. The smiles, the eyes, the laughter of these children are incredible and humbling.

The filmmaker, Steve Hoover I believe, has incredible skill and storytelling ability.

I just had to share. It's a sad and yet uplifting film. If you thought your life was bad, seeing the suffering of these kids and what little they have in their lives will make you feel grateful for the clean water, warm bed, and hope that you have, no matter your circumstances.

Thank you, Galadriel. Looking forward to watching it. Your heart is showing, too, btw.