I just received a letter from my old roommate and dear friend from juvie. She has spent the last 18 years in prison and has another 10 to go, yet writes to tell me about how blessed she is. Those blessings are because of her good health and peace she finds in not having become bitter despite the family who long ago abandoned her and the $15 dollars she makes a month to buy toiletries.
When she got out of prison all those years back she, like so many of our youth, was released because she aged out and was on her own—no family---no state assistance. I’m not making any excuses for her or anyone else who commits crimes, but we have to work harder to ensure that our kids are coming home to communities where they are accepted and given the tools to survive. Though survival crimes are a real thing, they make no difference on that day in court.
I hope that her finding blessings in a nightmare gives you perspective on whatever you’re dealing with today
