Sang Ly lives in the shanty town surrounding the dump. She and her husband work every day finding recyclable items to sell so they have enough money for dinner each night and can put away a little bit toward rent for the month. Their son is miserably ill and every time they get western medicine for him, his symptoms stop, but when the medicine runs out he is just as ill again. They will never be able to save up enough money to travel back to Sang Ly's village to see the healer there. Then one day, Sang Ly stumbles upon a way to become literate.
I loved this quote from a day when the family was in the city:
As we eat, a man walking past catches my attention--he is carrying a stack of brightly colored books, though it's not just his books that give me pause. He sets them down near an adjacent garbage can with the spines toward me, and then he proceeds to clean out his pockets, throwing scattered items away. Naturally I long to read the titles, to learn what the books are about, to thumb through their pages and attempt to read them myself. However, as these thoughts roil through my head, I also have the odd desire to tear open the bag of garbage and see if he's throwing anything worthwhile away.
And this one touched me: "For news of a mother's heart, watch her child's face." I ought to make sure that I can always empathize with my children.
This is a story of love and ascension and overcoming. It is beautiful and moving and I found it valuable pondering material during the time I was reading it. We never know what those around us are going through or how much a kind word or action will mean to them. We ought to be more accepting and loving.
Sang Ly and her husband do talk about making love but are not explicit or sensual in their discussion.
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