What I love most about this short video is not the fact that my two nephews, who I love more than life, are adorably banging on the piano with no rhyme or reason, although that is super cute. I watched it over and over and saw the same thing clearer each time. Zach can scarcely contain the pure, exuberant joy and happiness that uncontrollably overflows from his tiny, butterball body. He’s happy because he’s sitting next to his big brother who he loves and wants to be just like. He’s happy because his big brother is smiling and playing with him. He’s happy because he is in his Papaw and Granny’s house, a safe and comfortable place in his small world. And I believe he is happy because he is creating the funny sound that’s coming from that big, brown box. All is right in his world right now.
Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le...
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