I went to prison today. I volunteered as part of The Salvation Army's Prison Toy Lift program where we supply a toy at the inmate's choosing to send to their child for Christmas. An excellent ministry to those with a different definition of "need." I learned a lot today about the prison system, but mostly about prisoners. The chaplain we were with said the first thing he usually notices with first time prison volunteers like myself is when we realize that the inmates are real people. They aren't statistics, they aren't simply labels like murderer, rapist, or thief, and they aren't without feelings, purpose or value.

I will be the first to admit I cried twice today, both times when thinking about these men and their children. The men are in prison and have to miss (on their own volition) their kids first steps, potty training, first day of kindergarten, pre-teen years, getting their driver's license...and the list could go on. More sadly though, the kids have to grow up without their dad around. The kids don't get to play catch with their dad, go out for football passes, have dinner with them, go to a ballgame, learn to ride their bike with their dad, or skip stones in the lake.

The first inmate I worked with picked out a watch radio for his son and sat down to write a note to him. On the front of the notecard next to the TO: line he wrote his son's name. On the From: line he first wrote "Dad," which really tugged at my heart after having gone through my mind all that I listed above and more. The man paused then added "dy" to his name and I really had an overwhelming sense of compassion for the man and his situation, and his son. I hope and pray that his son knows his dad loves him, and that the man can behave while doing his time so that he can return home to his son at some point soon.

Hear the story of the hunter who shot his 14-year old hunting neighbor mistaking him for a deer? Just ridiculous. Why is it too much to expect hunters to see and clearly identify their game and target before shooting? The man claims he was shooting at what he had thought was a shoulder of a deer. Are you kidding me? You're risking so much at that point. He obviously didn't care what sex of deer or how big. But most importantly, he didn't respect the fact that other hunters could be in the woods with him. There is absolutely no excuse for shooting at a person while hunting. Confusion is not an acceptable excuse.