Dec. 16, 2013
9:30 AM
Watching a show called The Doctors

An Unexpected Christmas Gift
I haven't written anything in about two weeks, and this morning I wanted to share my good news. First, I need to say that is anyone sent me any responses or comments within the last 4-6 weeks, then please forgive me for not responding because I have not gotten them.

I want to speak about family, friends, and emotional and mental support. In prison, when you're alone, when you have no one, you will spiral downhill. Being in here for life can destroy your identity. It's hard for me to explain. Imagine being in your house, alone, never speaking to your family or friends again. I am not great with words so I don't know how to say this. But life is so much easier, better, happier, and livable when you have a support system.

Last month, when my daughter's social worker, Hannah, came to visit me (after my nervousness went away), we spoke about my father. Hannah asked me if there was anyone on my father's side of the family. I told her I had no clue. I did however have a newspaper article of my father's death by the Philadelphia police. It said, "At the time of death, Robert Constanzo is survived by his wife Sandra and two daughters ages 5 and 2". That's all the info I had. So Hannah told me to send it to her and she'll see what she can do.

My Christmas present, the best present I have ever gotten, on Tuesday Dec. 10. A woman wrote to me and said, "Hi, I'm your sister, Jen." Then the very next day, I got a letter saying, "I'm your step-mom, Sandy." Hannah found my family. I was blown away. I wrote them back immediately. I was so excited. And it kills me inside that I can't just drive to them and meet them. So now thanks to Hannah, I have added Sandy, and my two sisters (Jen and Ann) into my life. Even though my little sister are not so little (Jen is 30 next month and Ann is 27 in March), it's never too late. Hannah has done so much good in my life and my daughter's life. She has truly made the difference this year.

Never in a million years would I have thought I would ever have found my sisters. I was 15 when I learned of their existence. Since then, I have tried to find them. I had no idea how, so every effort failed. But in this new Internet age, I thought it would be easier. It wasn't. No one I knew could find them. But when they wrote me, they said they had been looking for me for many years. They didn't know my last name. Now we are searching for my brother, Bobby Sliney, son of Mary. My sisters and Sandy want to find him as well, so hopefully this happens.

Hannah met with my family. They live in Ohio. I am really excited to hear how this went.

There are four birthdays in January that I want to mention:
My friend Latricia will be 51 on Jan. 16.
My older brother and sister, Dawn and Jerry (twins), will be 40 on the 27th.
My little sister :) Jen will be 30 on the 24th.

I want to wish all of you a very happy birthday and thank you all for being in my life. Just because someone is family or a blood relative doesn't mean that they will remain in your life when you come to prison. Most guys are abandoned by their families, for whatever reason, after too much time in here. I've been in that position before and believe me, it sucks. So finding my sisters and having them in my life, and knowing that Sandy, a woman I have never met or known, who also feels the same is a gift from God, and I am so grateful. They live 30-60 minutes from my daughter, so I am secretly praying that they can be a part of Krista's life too. My little girl needs family close to her. She needs a support system, and this is what Hannah specializes in. This support system that she is building, I am praying that it works.

I know this won't be on my blog in time for Christmas, but Jan/i s the start of a new year. I implore each and every one of you reading this to get in touch with someone you lost touch with. Someone that meant something to you. It doesn't have to be family. I know what it's like to lose people, and now I know what it's like to have them come into my life. And this is such a better feeling. I have more family now than I ever imagined. I hope everyone else is as blessed this holiday season.

Take care, stay safe, and God bless. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ciao.