Earlier this week Annie's primary asked me if I'd like to go to Starbucks with her. I didn't know her intentions--she probably just wanted to get out of the house--but rarely does a resident ask a staff to go to coffee so I went.
Annie's primary is definitely the most introspective resident here, so I love to ask her questions. Lately she's been reading Hitler's Mein Kampf. I knew that she was not a Neo-Nazi and I thought there must be a good reason for this--it sounds like a book I would pick up one day. So when I asked her why she's reading it, she gave me a strange look. Like, why not?
After thinking for a little she told me that in one of her art classes they looked at a painting. It was a majestic painting of a castle. The people in the class were told to express how it made them feel. Everyone had great things to say about the painting--it was colorful, filled with fantasy and wonder, poweful. Then the teacher clicked the slideshow and the artist's name appeared under it. I didn't know he painted, but I guess it was by Hitler. The class's perception of the painting instantly changed. How could such a lovely paint be done by such an evil man?
That's what the class said. But Annie's primary is much more loving and compassionate than the average bear. She said to me, "I decided that I have been told a lot of negative things about Hitler, but that painting said that he was just another human like me." So she picked up Mein Kampf which actually means "My Struggle."
Hitler wasn't born more prone to evil than anyone else--neither are thieves nor drug abusers nor sex offenders. By reading his book she was having a little mercy on the memories Hitler left behind. I don't think she knows how wise she was.
We knew we'd learn something from the residents here. She and one of my primaries are about to go to the parole board in early February. Keep us all in your prayers!
Tip Off at the Nuggets Game
The card table Mike, Beth and I made for my parents for Christmas
Dale House Christmas Party!
Me and Abby on the DHP Ski Trip at Breckenridge!
Jesse and Ryan trying to fix the Christmas tree after it fell over
