I’m pleased that Carole has agreed to expand her assistance with some of the blogging for our Web site. She assists me in many ways already. I write all of my content in longhand and she types it, then publishes it on our sites and various other sites to which I contribute. Now she has agreed to write a few blogs each month on her own. That’s helpful to me, and I think readers will appreciate her perspective.
The prison experience doesn’t limit its hardship to the prisoner. I’m convinced that the ones who really struggle through confinement are the family members, or those who love the prisoner. I know that my imprisonment is much harder on my parents, my sisters, and of course my beloved Carole than it is on me. My life feels full—as full as possible for a long-term prisoner. But my family worries about me, and I know that the family members or loved ones of every other prisoner worry too. I’m hoping that Carole’s writing will bring another perspective to those who find value in our Web site.
One of the main messages Carole and I work together to present is that despite the hardship of confinement, those who advance through the struggle with a positive attitude can always work to create new meaning in their relationships. Prisoners have access to support groups inside the boundaries. We make friends with like-minded people; we have opportunities to participate in organized educational, social, or spiritual programs; we can keep ourselves productive by working toward goals we sent independently.
Our family members and loved ones, on the other hand, don’t have as many people with whom they can commiserate. Friends and acquaintances of family members may find the subject of imprisonment awkward, or even distasteful. Without sympathetic ears to listen, family members can feel the stress of confinement even more acutely than the prisoner.
Carole’s kindness and patience will help readers understand that despite the challenges, a day-by-day commitment gets us through. I’m glad she is helping me, and I hope that our readers find Carole’s insight as valuable as I do.
Ran 10 miles / 5,062 miles
500 pushups / 72,000 pushups
Saturday, 3 July 2010
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