PRISONER EXPRESS

I was born into a family where there were always a number of relatives around. I never lacked for the strength and feeling of family being there for me. This gave me a sense of belonging, of never being alone. As time passed, I grew away from my family, not just physically, but also emotionally. I finally withdrew all contact with my relatives, rarely even talking to my mom.

School was a joy for me as I was growing up. My mind has always been like a sponge, absorbing all the information it received. There are a variety of subjects with never-ending possibilities to learn about life and the people within it. I let this opportunity pass by when I quit high school right before graduation.

I believe that our friends share a part in influencing the way we live our lives. Yet, each one of us is responsible for the direction in life we take. I've had such a wide selection of friends, but when I started using drugs I avoided my law-abiding friends and leaned towards the other drug users and drug dealers.

As the years past and I grow older, I can look back and see many things I wish I'd done differently. I can't change any of the past, but I can change what I do with the future. I'm steadily rebuilding my relationship with my family. I take the time to write letters to some of my family members and plan on adding other members to the list. While nothing can erase the past, I feel that the time and effort I put into repairing my relationships with family is important and worth every bit of effort taken. There's still a distance between me and my two daughters, but I'm working on closing that distance as well. Our relationship will never be the same, but with patience and love our interactions as mother and daughter will thrive and endure. Fortunately, I've been able to further my education while I've been incarcerated. I've gotten a G.E.D., taken college courses, and have a grade point average of 3.9. Not only have I received certification as a Heavy Equipment Operator on a bulldozer, but I've nearly completed my Associates in Graphic Arts. I've been able to open my mind to learning once again.

Corresponding through the mail with others has allowed me to meet and become friends with people who support my success in living life. I now lean more to being friends with those who obey the laws given by society. These people have enriched my life and taught me more about compassion, honesty, and the meaning of friendship.

The days ahead look so much brighter for me. I look forward to the successes as well as the disappointments I'll receive. I plan on taking a trip to my hometown soon after my release. I'll become reacquainted with my family, my grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They have never given up on me and I want to let them know that even when I was gone, the memories of their love have always been with me.

I would like to start a career in either the import/export business or the travel industry. To support this ambition, I'll be taking more college courses. There are a wide variety of subjects that can pertain to this area of interest. I've heard the saying that "knowledge is power." I plan to learn all I can to live successfully. With the moral support of the new circle of friends I have been acquiring, I know that I am never alone. There are people I can depend on for truth and companionship in my life. I'll continue to be selective in the type of friendships I'm involved with, and surround myself with positive people.

I'll always be thankful for this second chance I've been given. I have my family, can further my education, and have met many new and interesting friends. The circle of my life continues to grow bigger and better, and even though some of us take longer than others to decide on another path of life, God never gives up on us. I'll take my second chance and use it wisely.