Random Act of Gratitude #118: Not Such a Long Way Gone

I finished reading Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone, memoirs of a boy soldier.

Like Beasts of No Nation, it rather unflinchingly illuminates the realities of the child soldier's experience, at least as much as those of us from the outside can process. In reading of his experiences, first as a civilian on the run from violence, then as a child soldier, and finally in his rescue and rehabilitation, it's difficult to ignore the blessings in one's own life.

There are a thousand tiny things every day which we can easily take for granted. Family, food, shelter, safety, silence, music, peace, education, literature, sanitation, medical care, friendships, toothpaste -- the list goes on and on and on if one just takes a moment to notice them.

It's a bit funny that sometimes I think, "What could I write about today?" here when really there's no lack of things about which to be grateful.

Of course, an entry about being thankful for toothpaste might not be that exciting to read.