Holidays and Pen-Pals
To all who read me from time to time

:) Hello. It's that time of the year when all are filled with holiday cheer after giving thanks to another year.

I thought I'd let you know I'm still here :) and doing as good as can be.

I do have very good news. I'm finally cleared and quite excited. After finding a friend from this very site, they have helped me to finally get my records cleared to finally be able to go to truck driving. And I can never thank them enough because now I can be submitted at the beginning of the year for the class and go to truck driving school. I'd never have this opportunity without your help.

This means more to me than any could being to understand because I'd honestly couldn't have done it without your help.

Some do not realize when a person comes to prison, we are in a helpless situation. Especially people like myself who don't have someone in their lives to help them. Having no family or friends from the outside is the worst time a person can do. It's why I've reached out to many of you. Writing, in a way, made me feel like I've got someone in my life, that I'm not really just forgotten and abandoned. I know this is the wrong term to use because I've placed myself in here.

Over the years, I've met pen-pals whom decided after a time that I guess they really don't have time for me anymore. It's something I've never been able to get used to because it makes me wonder, "What is it about me?" It's a feeling of blaming myself, even though that may not be the actual reason. But I can't blame it.

The presence is in me of wondering how long they will last and, when writing, when my last letter will be from them. Through writing, I became closer to my pen-friends, not actually meaning to. So I always feel drained about it.

I ask for more pen-pals. Any wishing to write me. Because "in here" just receiving that one letter makes my day just that much better. Writing isn't just about the person to whom you are writing but about sharing yourself and opening up to someone and talking about the tings going on with you! I may not be a psychologist, but I'm a good and caring listener.

During this time, if it's to just send a simple Christmas card to an incarcerated individual you don't know, do it! Because I can definitely tell you its effects. It gives them a reason not to give up! Reason to try and achieve something in here, a sense that someone has thought of them and cares. And that can make a difference. It has in my life in here.

I wish you the best of holidays and the New Year to come. And all of you whom chose to go your way, you've never been forgotten.

Sincerely,
Teddy