Merhawit Saleh

Amidst the tumult of political difficulties and strokes of fate that have plagued my beloved Eritrea, I find solace in the simple act of selling bags. Every day I open my little store in the hope that those who enter will find a short, pleasant break in their lives.

A few days ago, in the midst of my everyday chaos, a glimmer of hope found its way into my life in the most unexpected of places – one of my own bags. As I was rearranging the shelves, my hands trembling with fatigue and worry, I noticed something tucked away in the pocket of a worn leather messenger bag.

Curious, I reached inside and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding it carefully, I read the words scrawled across the page in faded ink.

"Dear friend," the note began, "in the midst of darkness, may this light find its way to you. Know that you are not alone, and that hope still flickers in the darkest of times."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read those words, a balm to my weary soul. In that moment, I felt a glimmer of the resilience that has sustained me through countless hardships. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is still room for joy and surprise.

With renewed determination, I tucked the note into my pocket, a talisman against despair. And as I welcomed customers into my shop that day, I did so with a newfound sense of hope, knowing that even in the darkest of times, there are moments of brightness waiting to be discovered.