The Gift Shop at the DMZ

When a Buddhist therapist contracts to counsel soldiers around the world, her ingrained opposition to war stands in the way of happiness. Repelled but curious about military culture, her careful listening to servicemembers and families leads to empathy and understanding for their challenges. In postings from the US to Germany to Korea, serving soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, she learns to respect and serve those enduring trauma. Forced to practice informal counseling, she wonders how she can make an impact. When the too-rare sessions lead to a struggle with depression, she must reach out with letters to friends. Can a deeper study of Buddhism steady her? The immersion in military culture grows more savvy, sanguine beliefs - so she might wrest deep meaning from absurdity.