Dear Jim, I honestly think that in this world there are people who just do things because it looks good on them socially and there are people who are watching them do good and they love praise. However, there is still that percentage of people who really do care and they have good intentions and their hearts are warm with love. I think that getting a G.E.D in prison will give the prisoners a sense of personal achievement that maybe they never experienced before in their lifetime, even if it seems like a measly high school diploma. Some people really want the prisoners to feel that triumph that nobody but themselves was able to reach. I am 16 years old and I'm currently in 11th grade in high school. I'm a straight A student and I tell you this because I know how it feels to put so much effort into something and in the end I am able to see the results of all that hard work. Sometimes, like you, I feel that the system is killing me, making me work beyond my capacity, making me stay up late and jeopardize my health and my growth. But in the end, it pays of. Some teachers I know just give me hard test because they might not like the class. But others, I know teach us so much and make us know so much because they genuinely care about our education. You might feel like it's hurting you, but maybe some of them really care. With respect on your rape experience, my heart goes out to you. One of my biggest fears in life is being raped. I can't fathom how terrible it really must be.
I'm really glad that you know you're loved because that's super important and it's a wonderful feeling. Yes, God created the Devil and fallen angels, however, it was their choice to become bad and hurt people the way they do. For some reason, and only He knows why, God decided to let him do these things. But I think that, the bad in the world sometimes lets us appreciate more the good and the love that still exists. Honestly, I am not God but I can gurantee you that He doesn't wish you to be the Devil because God loves you and He doesn't wan't that for you. :)
I just heard the grandchild of my uncle Oktaaf, Gerbert, of 14 .... died in his sleep on the 25th of October! They found him in the morning. He just would attend a basket ball camp. He leaves a brother of 11 and their parents take up the care for two younger foster children. It's so awful. I will attend the funerals before coming to America in November.
You will receive my letter approxemately on the 3rd of November?
On so many occasions, it seems as if the world is battling us. We even become enemies of ourselves. But all it takes is some encourgement from a fellow human being to surmount these difficulties. Michael, tell your friend that he is absolutely not worthless. I can attest to the happiness he is giving me, being able to talk to you and him through Between the Bars. That's at least one person to whom he has done infinite good; for loving others and bringing them happiness is a commitment to universals which are infinte. The standards of society on things like bodily appearance are subjective. Calling your friend ugly holds as much merit as declaring banana milk to be the best drink in existence. If you can convince your friend to believe himself normal, then, by virtue of believing it, he is holding a true belief. There's no "right" or "wrong" answer on questions of appearance. Tell him that he does not deserve his punishment. Every single person ever has made mistakes. As long as we forgive and forget, there should be nothing else tying us to past mistakes. We're always changing, and our identity today is different tomorrow. It's upsetting that society perpetuates the pain for some. I at least forgive him, and that's enough to erase the shame. Thanks so much for posting this, Michael! Keep us updated! --Calhoun25
RSS
Hi love,
I just heard the grandchild of my uncle Oktaaf, Gerbert, of 14 .... died in his sleep on the 25th of October! They found him in the morning. He just would attend a basket ball camp.
He leaves a brother of 11 and their parents take up the care for two younger foster children.
It's so awful. I will attend the funerals before coming to America in November.
You will receive my letter approxemately on the 3rd of November?
Love you and miss you...
Rita xxx
--Calhoun25