December 27, 2020

PRISON  CELL  ARCHITECT

 
Is there a chapter in a book
on architecture or a class in
architect school about how
to build a prison cell?
 
If there is,  does it make windows
an absolute necessity– and how high –
so a prisoner can see the sky or low so  
as to see more – like a father with a son?
 
Would architects in learning the profession
talk about room for  shelves  for books and
windows to let in the sound of birds outside –
as well as trains in the distance?
 
How about chapels, churches, mosques?
Do prison architects bring up questions about
recreation, schooling, spirituality, exercise,
prisoners’ family, the future as well as the past? 
 
Do wardens, guards, prison psychologists and
doctors consider questions other than worry
about escape?  Who and what am I missing in
this short meandering wondering about prisons?

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

December  27, 2020

 

Thought for Today

 

 “Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.”

G.K. Chesterton

December 26,  2020

WALL  SWITCH

 

Sometimes we’re in the dark.
We can’t find the light switch.
We rub our hand along the
wall in hopes of hitting something.
We’re careful. We don’t want to fall.
Finally. We feel the switch and turn
on the light. Now that was easy.
But with people – all this is different.

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

 

  December  26, 2020

 

Thought for Today

 

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans--and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused--and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.”

Sigrid Undset

December  25,  2020

PEOPLE   WATCHING

 
I am the baby in that crib.
 
I am Mary feeding that kid.
 
I am Joseph guarding this family.
 
I am the shepherds discovering this kid.
 
I am the kings lead from afar by a star.
 
I am the donkey, the sheep, the goat,
and the cow, not knowing who is this kid.
 
I am mother, father, brother, sister,
when you see me, you’ll see yourself.
 
People watch and you’ll start to see what
this baby saw: each other in each other.
 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

  December  25,  2020

Christmas Story

Andy

December  25, 2020

 

Thought for Today

 

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

Steve Maraboli,

Unapologetically You:

Reflections on Life and

the Human Experience