THE VALUE OF KINDNESS WITHIN A WELL-DESIGNED PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.

Of course inspiration can be found all around us. For example, I picked up a book, which I do sometimes. And read it to my children. It was very inspiring.

About Elizabeth Fry, the early-1800s prison rights activist and humanitarian who helped bring about reforms in the treatment and conditions of inmates, particularly women and children. She showed kindness to people who were largely forgotten and abused. Pretty good lesson there.

So it was a great story, and it was inspiring to me, and I'm pretty sure it inspired the children as well, because I walked into my son's bedroom a few minutes later and it had inspired him to create something:

"What are you building?"

I asked.

He looked up from the massive DUPLO construction site.

"I'm building a prison. It's going to be a really really big prison."

So yeah, inspiration hits all of us a little differently. Respect, Ms. Fry. Shabbat shalom, world.

____

(this snippet soundtracked by System of a Down's Prison System)

WHEN CROSSFIT AND LEGO COLLIDE.

with Uncle Marc Guipilan

HOMAGE TO SPACE NEEDLES

Daddy, can we visit North America this year?

my son asked between bites of rice.

Well,

I replied,

We're actually in North America right now, so yes. 

This led to further discussion of where else we would like to travel this year:

Seattle!

my daughter said.

Asia!

my son said.

Sweden!

she said.

South America!

he said.

Madagascar and Australia!

she exclaimed.

Yay, Australia!

he jumped up and down.

Well...

I thought carefully,

I will talk with your Mom about it, but I think what we'll do is plan on visiting ONE of those places this year. I can't promise exactly which one right now, but we'll go through the list you named and see which one might be the best adventure, and also within our budget this year, sort of a combination of factors. Okay? 

Clapping with glee: Okay!

I hope it's Sweden!

she said.

I hope it's Australia!

he said.

Me too, I thought.

Soon.