my therapist changed my life when he taught me there are 4 types of conversation:
1) small talk (weather, etc)
2) swapping (you tell a story, I tell a story)
3) listening (you tell a story, I listen/validate)
4) problem-solving (you tell me a story, I help solve the problem)
Anwar, a child from Gaza, wrote this letter to his amputated leg:
"A letter to my dear leg,
Today, with you in front of me, I wanted to tell you: I was sad, and I felt weak and ashamed when I lost you, because something in me was missing and I felt I was less than other people and would never do anything again. But today I have become a strong person, and I feel confident every time I look at you. I went out and sold things, I made friends, and I started walking long distances. I do things that people with two legs cannot do.
I love you so much."
I remember how everyone here was devastated for punch-a baby monkey with some toy thingy..
The kids being orphaned in a genocide does not seem to move people the same way here.