My feel good pillow

  The community read book this fall for the University of Wisconsin Madison was Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario. I love taking part in the UW's Go Big Read because each year features a thought provoking book. It's exciting to go to the author talk and be with hundreds or even thousands of people who have read the book.
   This book recounts the dangerous journey many Central American children make to find and reunite with mothers that are in the US. Most of these mothers left their children because of crushing need. They plan to be gone a year or two and return with money saved up to make a better life in their home country. Unfortunately, it's common that they have so much trouble making enough money that they are gone many years. The book recounts the harrowing trip that children make, facing many dangers and even death. It's a difficult book to read, but I think, a very important one in understanding the complex issue of illegal immigration.

    On Ms. Nazario's web site are links to organizations that are working to help people in Central America. I decided to make a small effort to improve someone's life by buying a pillow from Honduras Threads. This non-profit is helping Honduran women create coops that make fair trade embroidered pillows so they can make a decent living without leaving their families. My pillow came recently and it not only gives me a good feeling but it's also really beautiful.