I loved your article. It takes an unusual and refreshing approach to a common human problem: how do we remember to remember to be grateful for our lives-in-the-moment. It is so true that awareness seems more intense when something hurts (like a damaged knee) or when something is intense (like a particularly gorgeous sunset), rather then when nothing hurts or the sunset is not as especially ravishing.
I like too the way you took the time to enjoy the hunting technique of the young boys, rather than radiate the usual adult disapproval that they were hunting “helpless”squirrels. As far as survival in the woods , the squirrels have the advantage over the boys, and you are savvy enough to recognize that!