March 3, 2012

Hello World!

How do you sit across from the family whose matriarch you murdered and say, "I'm sorry"? Faith and courage.

Faith based on the belief that God instilled into the family the willing heart to listen.

Courage based on God's Word that He would never leave me.

This weekend, the family of the woman I murdered flew in from New York and up from Southern California to sit across from me. They amaze me for the expenditure of time and money to listen, to understand, and to forgive. I'm blown away.

Saturday was, admittedly, momentarily disappointing because the visiting staff made us visit with me in a glass cage. We communicated via telephone. Frustrating because only one could talk and listen at a time. Sunday, finally accepting the family's desire to have contact, sitting around a table in the visiting room, staff capitulated. One sergeant told the family he could never do what they are doing. That tells me whose hearts God has been working overtime on and who is listening.

We spoke of the day of the murder and all the events that led up to it. Very emotional and exhausting. They shared more about their family and what their perceptions and experiences were growing up with the woman I killed. It was not all sugar and spice. For my loyal readers, you may recall that the family has asked me to write the family's story. What an honor and a challenge. I pray daily for God's blessings as I put pen to paper.

We discussed aspects of the story, character development, especially getting into the heads of the different characters. For those who have been kind enough to read A Thundering Wind, you know that's what I strive to excel in—what's the motivation?

We also shared a few lighter moments and a couple of laughs as I believe we have found a relatively happy medium. They commented that I talk a lot. I replied, I rarely get to speak with normal people so I try to get it all out. They smiled. I sighed.

It's bizarre but I feel so close to this family. I'm sure most people couldn't understand it because the foundation is based on tragedy and pain. However, because we are inextricably tied together, the fact that we're working to create something good—how could I feel anything but affeciton?

Faith and courage.

Amazing!

Thanks for checking in on me.

Cordially,
[signature]
Gregory Barnes Watson
D-67547 C-14-104-U
PO Box 409060
Ione, CA 95640

Novel: A Thundering Wind
https://www.amazon.com/Thundering-Wind-English-Gregory-Watson-ebook/dp/B004TC35UC