FAMILY INDEX

***

***

"There is a silent strength within each soul, and that strength is multiplied for those who remember that they do not walk their path alone."
~Thomas J. Edwards

From:  Rugged_Faith@webtv.net
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 7:33 PM
Subject: We do help each other :)

Tonight a mother called me...she took the time to find my son and write him for my number etc. Our sons used to be in the same place and mine used to help her son when he first arrived.

Mine told me once that more than likely he had saved this boys life one night.   We never went into detail completely nor did I know that he meant it literally. Perhaps I did and didn't want to think about it, sometimes much like my son, I feel I know to much and have seen things one shouldn't see.

At any rate...I do remember her, the face....her first visit the lost rabbit look, like running from a rifle. I recognized the shoulders that bend as tho the world grew to heavy....the uncontrollable shaking that takes many months to go away and yet, at times still will hit. I saw she was frightened and wondering, 'how did I get here, Lord'?  And I KNEW, I knew she needed the touch that a person is lacking there.

I knew she was lost as she waited and I knew she was thinking, 'what am I to do, stand, sit, twirl...cry?!?!?' Her insides screaming all the while, LET me out of here

There I was and not proud to say, I'm a veteran of visiting, after a couple years that is the way you feel and you know without moving your head or staring a 'newbie' has entered the room. They give off a scent of fear an aura...actually, the truth to be spoken the fear is there forever, just many different stages we go through. We climb so many levels as prisoners on the outside too.

You can tell so much about a person from the eyes, the gait when they walk... I knew she was kind and I knew she was good. I turned my head as she felt so uncomfortable and I did the only thing I could to make her feel better and at ease.

Fighting back the tears of feeling her pain, knowing she was to see her son for the first time, I smiled then I proceeded in my heart to pray, Lord give her the strength to get through this day.

I did my best or like to think I did, considering we are told not to visit much. Being the kind of person I am and not caring who knows it.. each time I was given the opportunity to physically touch a shoulder, I went for that too. And softly asked or said, I shall hold you in my prayers. The power I found in those words are overwhelming at times and can make a grown man cry. But, why wouldn't it? These people are already... shattered souls, looking for a miracle to be whole again.

Myself included...

Feeling sometimes in my moments of tiredness, self pity or wanting to give up, I find a Blessing again from above. A much needed one as we all grow weary at times. Tonight things came full circle when this mother called to say...

'I called to say, thank you. Thank You, for smiling at me and thank you for your son. You know he saved my son one night and we won't forget that. And you took the time to let me know...I'm not alone, we all hurt and I knew you cared. I will never forget you smiled at me. I knew you understood what all my friends and some family members could not.'

This might not mean so much to some...goodness, God knows...it does my heart and soul a miracle. It is nice to know that in some ways; I may have failed in the world, in other ways, I did a good thing, I made a difference and lived long enough to know it.

She made my day and to think, all it took was a smile that came back to me.... I'm overwhelmed with joy!

May all remember to reach out when visiting, May You be Blessed for caring in this world, that sometimes is just, so cruel.

Pattricia Pummill
Proud to say, I stand among friends:
PRUP
Florida Bars
Been Shattered
Making the Walls Transparent
International Prison Ministries

In this nightmare of life and sad circumstances I face, like so many others...I feel good to know I have been placed on your website. It is a good thing!

Thank You, for all you do. ~Patty

WE ARE EVERYWHERE
Author Unknown

For those who forget that the incarcerated humans in this country are indeed just that - HUMAN - I would like you to think on this the next time you talk about "inmates, criminals, convicts, etc...". These humans have families and those who love them despite whatever they did. Look around you and wonder, because this is who we are....

We take care of your children and grandchildren in nursery schools, we give them shots in the doctor's office, we are dental assistants, we are school teachers and Sunday school teachers, we stand behind you in the grocery store, we prepare your medicine in the drug store, we work in banks, we approve your loans, we service your insurance claims, we work for newspapers, TV stations and radio stations, we read your electric meters and water meters, we are your landlords, your neighbors, we take care of your elderly parents in nursing homes, we are nurses, lab technicians, X-ray technicians, we own beauty shops, flower shops, printing shops, we are welders, plumbers, tree trimmers, we work for the IRS, the State Dept., in the courthouse, schools, churches, drug stores and toy stores, we are legal secretaries, lawyers, school board members, we are bus drivers, we prepare meals for your kids in school, we are city council members, bank tellers, we process your checking account, your saving account, we work at your Social Security office, your insurance company, we take care of your IRA, stocks, bonds, we sell your kids bikes, school supplies, clothes, shoes, eyeglasses, we repair your cars, we are real estate agents, car dealers, college professors, psychologists, administrative assistants, safety engineers and ranchers. We work at Ralphs, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Macy's, Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue. We sell Avon and Tupperware. We are not all "on welfare", no matter what the government would like you to think.

There are two million people in prison in America and twice that many on parole and probation. Add in mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends and about sixteen million people are personally affected by the prison system in the United States.

We are tired of letting ourselves feel humiliated or embarrassed because our loved one is in prison. We did nothing wrong, and they are paying for their crime!

We are tired of fearing the loss of our jobs or evictions from our housing should anyone find out we have a loved one in prison.

We are tired of being made to feel inferior or unwelcome in churches, clubs, organizations or society in general simply because we refuse to abandon our loved ones.

We are ready to unite, to come out of hiding and openly support each other and our loved ones. It's a new day, America and we're here to prove it!

We are ready to speak out against the "they deserve what they get" attitude we hear you talk about in stores, theaters and restaurants.

We number in the millions, we are everywhere, every state, county, city and town. We may even live next door to you.

Sixteen million & counting.
We are everywhere.
Think about it.