The Lucky Ones” is a personal account that tells the story of Shaida, an Afghan woman, and her journey to the United States with her children to escape the brutalities of the Taliban. The narrator, who is a coach, becomes close to Shaida’s family and listens to their harrowing experiences. Shaida reveals that her husband and brother were killed by the Taliban, and they narrowly escaped Afghanistan on a crowded bus. The family settled in Pakistan for two years, where the children worked making carpets to support themselves. Eventually, they were approved for resettlement in the United States and faced new challenges, such as adapting to a different culture and dealing with discrimination. The narrator reflects on their own experience of seeking asylum due to being gay in Jordan and the difficulties they faced. The story emphasizes the resilience and strength of refugees and the importance of compassion and understanding.