An Amazing Heartache of a Book
When interviewing Ismael Beah on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart said the book made his "heart hurt." I can think of no better description of this moving book- A Long Way Gone. It is the story of a world of a 13-year old boy falling into chaos and violence and murder and hatred. It is also the story of a young man who was lifted from that world and has lived to make a difference.

As war raged in his native land, Beah saw everything- absolutely everything- fall apart. He ended up as a boy soldier, hopped on drugs and violence. The book is horrific in its events. Beah does not glorify war and what he experienced, but neither does he sugar coat it. He doesn't dwell on it and make it the center of his book, but tells us enough in his soft, unpretentious way to let us know that this wasn't a game of war. This was the real thing.

That Beah survived it is nothing short of a miracle. I realize we often overuse that word, but I know of no other way to express the 180 degree turn he had to make. The inner obstacles and instinctual trainings he had to unlearn. The ability to trust people again. It was a slow process and the people who were there to help make it happen number I am sure among the unsung saints of the world.

I found myself in awe of what I was reading. Actually I was in awe of the fact that I was reading a book written so well and so powerfully that came out of such an horrific background. The amazing internal resilience of Ishmael Beah says to me that given the right circumstances- which are extremely difficult to find- even in one as soaked in war and violence from such a young age- tells me that we humans have incredible resources at our disposal.

But we cannot do it alone. Beah would not have made it without a lot- A LOT- of different people being on his side. Even then one slip or crack in the support system and he would have been back where he was. It does, however, tell me that what we do when we are there for others is essential. To keep on in support and care is what is often needed. I give thanks for Ishmael Beah's message to us and the opportunity we have to share his recovery!