Childhood Memory: building things

I was stuck today for what to write, so I got this prompt from 5-Minute Daily Writing Prompts (a book): Write about your childhood experience with experimenting or building. Did you play with LEGO blocks, mix crazy concoctions in your kitchen, make bottle rockets, grow crystals from a kit, or build elaborate forts?

Well, there were no LEGOs when I was a kid. I did have science kits, which I enjoyed. I don't think I actually learned anything from doing the experiments. My sister and I would sometimes mix various liquids, all safe to drink but tasting horrible mixed together. But building things...

One year I made a castle for my little brother, out of cardboard boxes and oatmeal containers, the round ones. It had a drawbridge and the round towers. I don't remember much else about it except my brother loved it. We must have played with it quite a lot. Years later when our mother was doing triage (which she did regularly) she wanted to throw the old castle out. My brother protested and kept it. 

I don't know how long that castle lasted. Certainly when my parents sold the house in Connecticut and moved into a condo in Minnesota, the castle did not move with them. 

I asked my brother if he remembers the castle. If he responds, I'll add on to this post. 

What my daughter did to celebrate her birthday

 My daughter Jamie turned 34 last Saturday and she decided to celebrate by giving cake to homeless people. She told us this and we were naturally concerned about her safety. But, she assured us that she was taking three friends with her, including two young men, and that they would stay safe. [Spoiler: they were fine.]

She called us after the weekend to tell us about it. The four of them drove to places that they were pretty sure homeless people would be. The first place was deserted, but the second place, a park, had quite a few people. 

She said she walked over to people saying, "Would you like a piece of cake? It's my birthday." Nearly everyone said yes and some asked if they could have a second piece. She was happy to give them more. Her girl friend had decided to bring socks to give to the people they met and gave those out. 

The one man who turned down the cake told them that he has terminal cancer and no access to healthcare. He asked them to pray for him. From what Jamie told us, he seemed to be at peace with his life and future.

The four of them were so pleased with how successful the venture was that they decided to repeat on Sunday. So Jamie baked another cake, and they all went out again.

I know giving cake to a group of homeless people will not change the world, but maybe it cheered a few people for a little while. It makes my heart happy that she thinks to do things like this.