Father's Day 2013

Hello World!

In these days where the family unit is a mixed up jumble of disjointed parts, to be able to say that my father has always been a constant source of wisdom and strength is an immeasurable blessing. To double that sentiment I happily reveal that I am adopted.

As a child I was a good boy and given the nickname Straight Arrow. Who wouldn't love me? I made my father's job easy. Then... well you all know what I did. It is difficult to imagine the horror, shame, sadness, guilt, and disappointment my father felt on discovering his son's inconceivable? acts. My father could have simply walked away, washed his hands of the whole mess. I mean, hey, we had 26 good years as father and son, why would he trouble himself? He had done nothing wrong. He did not deserve what lie ahead. However, he did what a father who loves his son does. It did not matter that I wasn't of his loins. What mattered was his commitment to be a parent regardless of the situation.

Prior to my trial, my father stated his commitment, saying: "If you are convicted, regardless of the sentence, I promise to stay alive. I will always be here for you." Considering my guilt and punishment of 34 years to life, it was an audacious statement, but as I did back then, I cling to the promise today. However, back then what was a promise based on love, today with the support of my victim's family, there is a possibility that my father will be alive when I am set free.

Unfortunately, many sons and daughters do not have fathers in their lives. I wonder how they manage. I wonder who they turn to when their world turns upside down. There are also many children of all ages who do not have a close relationship with their fathers. This saddens me. True, there are men who do not deserve the title of father. However, I encourage all children to set aside their pride, frustration or perceived disappointment and show gratitude to the man who is trying to be their father. If you do, a relationship you will treasure will develop.

Because my father never faltered in his emotional support of me, and his belief that I could change for the better, I found the strength to do the hard work. I dug deep to root out the flaws that had tripped me up and caused so much pain. The journey has been arduous, but lightening the load whenever possible has been my father. I am eternally grateful that he chose me to be his son and then chose to never abandon me.

I have always been proud of my father and now I feel worthy to be his son. Happy Father's Day"

Thanks for checking in on me.

Cordially,
Gregory Barnes Watson

Novel: A Thundering Wind
Journal: A Year in a Life Sentence
Both available at Amazon.com