Journal 6- Brady Hund

The character that has meant the most to me besides Ishmael has been Esther. She is Ishmaels nurse in the rehabilitation center and she really is concerned about the well being of each and every child soldier. As soon as she meets Ishmael, she asks him his name and immediately responds, " great name, we should be friends." Even tho she has no idea what Ishmael is like, she's very friendly and very helpful.( Beah pg. 153) "Esther put her arms around me and pulled me closer to her. She took me to full attention before she started, Think of me as your family, your sister." (Beah pg.167) Esther also acts as if she's apart of Ishmaels family, she really cares for him, she is a fantastic person.

I think Ishmaels rehabilitation is definitely working! At first he starts off being really disrespectful. He's not very nice at first and he doesn't really open up to anyone. Ishmael also breaks glass with his hand causing himself to bleed so he could steal a first aid kit and get drugs during his withdrawal. But after Esther brings in a cassette of rap music, Ishmael definitely has a breakthrough in his therapy. He then starts to open up and tell his stories about the war and she very carefully processes his pain. He has become very hardworking man and I think he would be a great neighbor if he lived in my neighborhood. I believe anyone can change as a person and that people will make sacrifices to best help them survive. I think that everything Ishmael has been through, that he'd love to just for once, live a normal life, with a normal job, doing normal things, without having to worry about rebels coming to kill you ad everyone else around you.

"I had not slept for months now, and so far I had been able to avoid my nightmares by busying myself day and night with listening to and writing the lyrics of Bob Marleys songs." (Beah pg. 164) I really like this passage because I can relate to being up late at night just listening to music because I can't sleep. I also really like Bob Marley as his music is very relaxing and makes you happy. I think music is a great way to get your mind off things and he uses it to not think about the war.