June 17, 2015 Donnie Hey what's up there Donnie? Just Read your posts, I never knew that there was this sort of thing going on. It has been a while since you've posted I hope you are still with us. I've never been anywhere crazier than county. I always wondered how everyone in state or Federal knew what you were arrested for and after reading your post about showing your papers or....that makes a lot of sense and is at least one cool thing I wouldn't have to worry about. You had mentioned how the prison staff keep the various gangs separate, Is it a given as well that your Bunkie/cellie is kept of the same race as well? Gotta run bro, this is Rob thanking you for sharing, try not to let taking care of yourself take too much away from thine own self. Rob
Hi, Greg, My name is Joan Shelton Broeckling, and I am your cousin - Mary & Beck Shelton's daughter. I knew that Mom had been corresponding to you, as she told me about it years ago. I was cleaning out some old papers and found a letter you wrote to her in 2000.
Mom is still alive, age 92 and living in a nursing home. Unfortunately, she has Alzheimers', which is now very advanced. She was diagnosed around 2004, which is probably why her correspondence stopped. I know she cared about you and respected what you were trying to do with your life.
I don't know how this "between the bars" system works, and if there is a way for me to send you my email address (and if you have access to email). I'll try writing you a snailmail letter - the last address I found online was at Cowchillla- hoping that's still a good address.
I saw online that you had a parole hearing last month - I'm wondering how that went?
I have recently been learning about restorative justice and strongly believe we should be going that direction if healing is our goal. I was sorry to hear that that effort of Ms. Rodriguez's grandson failed.
I just recently started transcribing letters on BetweenTheBars.org. I chose to transcribe your letter because the heading drew my attention: "Prisoners Raise Money for Local Charities." I thought it was quite a coincidence that, as I was looking for a way to volunteer from home in my spare time, I should find this website and from there I would stumble on your letter about volunteerism. That's excellent that you've found an opportunity to make some positive change.
As I transcribed your letter, I listened to New Horizon by Flyleaf. It's a good song. There are some deep lyrics. I'm not sure I fully understand what the song is about: "So you're tired but you're alive/So open up your eyes/And you can get your sleep when you are dead/Kill the clock inside your head/Bring your normalcy to the edge/And watch it drown in new horizons/New horizons."
Excellent letter. I learned a lot. I had not previously heard of "Mudman" (Robert Simon). It appears he indeed set back the movement to make the parole standard more lenient. The story of Allesandro Serenelli sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember the details. I suppose his experience potentially offers a nice lesson in acceptance and forgiveness.
You know Michael.. I think this is one of my favorite letters you have written .... I remember when we met in August 2000 I told you the exact same thing that within 6 months we will know if we are to be together or not.. well I ended up getting pregnant.. you ended up leaving me countless nights to hangout out with other women.. leaving me alone pregnant... I also recall being questioned two times if you were the father because you did not want to be or at least you did not want to lose your "freedom to a woman and a child"; oh yeah and what a great friend you were to tell me it would have been better off if I would have left you in North Carolina and went back to Georgia with my family... you are probably right (now that I know what I know) but everything happens for a reason ... but to sit here and read you talk about knowing who your friends are ... I wish I knew who my friends were 15 years ago .. because had I made sure who my friends were my daughter would not be being raised with out a father ... so do me a favor ... and quit sprouting off like people left you in prison to rot... TBH ... had you of been a better friend to people while you were out you would have more people being your friend now ... and if you were more of a friend to me while you had the chance I would not be raising my daughter alone... you do not want anyone to bring up the past and you do not want people to be negative but what do you do ... sit on here talk like you are some innocent person who was left to the dogs .. I am raising your daughter alone ... and you know what .... you actually told me to before you went to jail ... so why should now be any different .... oh yeah you aint sleeping around or hanging with the neighbors .. you do not have your "freedom" so now "family" matters .... you really need to stop talking your s..t because right now is not a good time for me to be hearing this and it is not a good time for Jessica either ...
I see this letter will get to you on my birthday... Michael... I know this letter is about and directed towards me.. I personally do not care if after 15 years and after everything I have been through with you; you want to judge me and my "friendship" and how I feel towards you ... the only thing I care about right now is making sure my daughters are taken care of ... If you can recall all those long years ago when I thought you were my "friend" and you chose to run off with every two bit hussy even after you found out I was pregnant; including the one that is got you locked up ... and please let us not mention the lies you told me that ended up getting me locked up pregnant with your child only 3 months after meeting you... let us not also mention how I defended you and stood by you time and time again when you really gave no reason to until you got locked up....and let us not mention the thousands of dollars I spent to talk to you, send you money or care packages... and to come see you ... Let us not mention how I stayed faithful raising my daughter until everyone of your appeals were denied ... So yeah Michael lets talk about who has been a better friend ... and who should put their friendship into question... I love how you talk all big and bad on here but then I get a letter and it is different ... right now .. I barely have time for myself or my own daughters... do really think I care what you think of me .. do you really think I care what you say about me or how bad you try to make me feel because honey in the last 15 years I know I have done things that you feel were lies but I was the most faithful girlfriend you ever had and you chose to toss me and your child to the side for "freedom" where did that land you IN PRISON... so back off ... right now is not the time for you to run your mouth off at me .. I am doing what I can ... I will do for you when I can ... but stuff like this makes me not want to... so thank you
RSS
xx Ju
Donnie
Hey what's up there Donnie? Just Read your posts, I never knew that there was this sort of thing going on. It has been a while since you've posted I hope you are still with us. I've never been anywhere crazier than county. I always wondered how everyone in state or Federal knew what you were arrested for and after reading your post about showing your papers or....that makes a lot of sense and is at least one cool thing I wouldn't have to worry about. You had mentioned how the prison staff keep the various gangs separate, Is it a given as well that your Bunkie/cellie is kept of the same race as well? Gotta run bro, this is Rob thanking you for sharing, try not to let taking care of yourself take too much away from thine own self.
Rob
Mom is still alive, age 92 and living in a nursing home. Unfortunately, she has Alzheimers', which is now very advanced. She was diagnosed around 2004, which is probably why her correspondence stopped. I know she cared about you and respected what you were trying to do with your life.
I don't know how this "between the bars" system works, and if there is a way for me to send you my email address (and if you have access to email). I'll try writing you a snailmail letter - the last address I found online was at Cowchillla- hoping that's still a good address.
I saw online that you had a parole hearing last month - I'm wondering how that went?
I have recently been learning about restorative justice and strongly believe we should be going that direction if healing is our goal. I was sorry to hear that that effort of Ms. Rodriguez's grandson failed.
Hoping to hear from you, Joan
I just recently started transcribing letters on BetweenTheBars.org. I chose to transcribe your letter because the heading drew my attention: "Prisoners Raise Money for Local Charities." I thought it was quite a coincidence that, as I was looking for a way to volunteer from home in my spare time, I should find this website and from there I would stumble on your letter about volunteerism. That's excellent that you've found an opportunity to make some positive change.
As I transcribed your letter, I listened to New Horizon by Flyleaf. It's a good song. There are some deep lyrics. I'm not sure I fully understand what the song is about: "So you're tired but you're alive/So open up your eyes/And you can get your sleep when you are dead/Kill the clock inside your head/Bring your normalcy to the edge/And watch it drown in new horizons/New horizons."
Excellent letter. I learned a lot. I had not previously heard of "Mudman" (Robert Simon). It appears he indeed set back the movement to make the parole standard more lenient. The story of Allesandro Serenelli sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember the details. I suppose his experience potentially offers a nice lesson in acceptance and forgiveness.
Best regards,
Blaine
gypsyrose
gypsyrose