Space Capsule

        When I choose new items for the kids lunchboxes, I have a ball. I enjoy playing with the space toys as much as any of the others, but not because of some nostalgia for the Star Wars lunchbox era. Rather, the idea of the Space Capsule evolved from a combination of the (pardon the pun) universally appealing space/alien toys and the idea of diversity in friendship.

        Cosmo, our intrepid astronaut, has had the great fortune of discovering life on other planets. Naturally, he would return with souvenirs from his inter-galactic pals. Cosmos explains, "The most important thing I've learned in outer space--we're meant to share this world with those from every place." He adds that some of his friends are tall, small, pink or blue. While I have yet to meet a blue individual, I would like to, and to have Cosmo's job: space explorer for kids lunchboxes. 

        Certainly, Cosmo knows that it's through food, clothing and exploration of a culture, that we immerse ourselves in historical and daily activities that are unlike our own. Furthermore, because I like most ethnic foods, I imagine what Cosmo's pink buddies feed him when he's passing through. Space chocolate?

        Cosmo's lunchbox items also remind me of the books that I liked growing up. They included the All of a Kind Family series, about a family, ethnically alike, but varied in disposition. Maybe that's why Charlotte's Web resonates with us as well--all of those different animals, living in harmony. Then we enter middle school and read Orwell's Animal Farm, the anti-Charlotte's Web. But that's for a different blog.

        Ultimately, in a universe as vast as scientists describe, we would surely have friends out there, wishing to communicate, teach, learn and. . . bring us toys for kids lunchboxes!