http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:23:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I returned last Sunday from a vibrant, difficult, painful at times, but in the end joyous event with more than a hundred men, including gang youth, ex-prisoners, and former addicts. It was the Mosaic Foundation’s men’s conference in the Redwood Forest outside Mendocino, CA. Called “Paths of Initiation,” for a ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/08/soul-work-and-men.html I spent ten days in Chicago – from August 2 until August 12 – to see my son Ramiro, recently released after 13-and-a-half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. It was a wonderful time. My son looks healthy, in good spirits, and focused on a new life. He’s staying ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/08/blessings-all-around.html Many of you know I’m off to Chicago tomorrow, August 2, to visit with my son Ramiro, who was recently released from the Illinois Department of Corrections after thirteen-and-a-half years behind bars. I’ve been talking to Ramiro almost every day since he was freed on July 16. He’s now at ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/08/going-to-see-ramiro-and-other-matters.html I am a man of words, but words are failing me as I try to describe my feelings of joy and love when my son Ramiro called me today as a free man. Yes, on Friday July 16, Ramiro was released from the Illinois Department of Corrections’ Danville Prison. He ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/07/freedom-for-ramiro.html A few of the young men were boisterous, laughing, loud. Others were quiet. They were black, Asian, and white. Yet in one full day—and in the following half day—they all proved to be great writers, raising hard but brave issues, and risking some of their emotions and even grief in ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/07/stories-and-poetry-from-behind-the-walls.html I spent my 56th birthday on July 9 at one of a well-known Turkish chain of restaurants called Tas/EV. Garth, Barbara, Joanne, Josephine, and Hannah were there—even surprising me with a slice of birthday cake and a heart-felt “Happy Birthday.” I don’t like to celebrate birthdays much, except with family. But ... http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/2010/07/on-the-southern-english-coast.html