It has been a surreal experience to be away at "college" for 5 months. The yo-yo of feelings (ups and downs) over these past months do not compare to the awful experiences of arrests, raids, pretrial hearings, trial, and sentencing. The litigation was the worst part (at least to date). I alone caused the sequence of this turbulent experience. I live in a constant, daily reminder of the wrongdoing that I had done. These past few months have been dedicated to reflecting and steering my life journey to correct my wrongs.
A recent newspaper article caught my attention about a guy that had worked under the governor of Maryland. He had been accused of scamming over $200,000 from his employer prior to working for the governor. Months within his new duties, the embezzled funds were discovered, and thus began the process of an FBI investigation, indictments, and eventually a trial. The man failed to show for his trial. After two weeks on the run, the man was located by the FBI. He died during a shoot-out with the FBI on a road in Tennessee.
Prior to my situation, I would have not have paid any attention this story. I do not understand why this man would risk his life to avoid going through a trial, statistically being found guilty, and serving some time in prison (which probably would have been 2-3 years in a prison camp like Morgantown). I think about his family and friends that were left in this heinous aftermath...it's not worth any of this tragedy, even for them - his actions continued to victimize them beyond the grave. We all have a life story with an experience of plight and tragedy, but we endure. I am so entirely grateful for the support and love that I had through my experience to so many people, especially Drew, my family, and incredibly loyal friends. I continue to have this amazing support! Thank you for giving me the time to rant through these blog posts and share a glimpse of my story. I have served 5 months of my sentence, and I will endure this temporary situation 🙂
A brief review of the past week:
The weather has been absolutely beautiful and a bit fickle. The clear nights make way for beautiful sunrises. I play a lot of pickleball in the evenings after dinner, usually until the sunsets. Every month, the recreation guys host tournaments, and I was able to play in this month's pickleball tournament (BTW it's National Pickleball Month - if that is even a real thing). My team did not do terribly in the tournament. I think we took 3rd out of 12 teams. A quick shoutout to my sister, Chris, and nephews who taught me pickleball 2 weeks prior to starting college - otherwise, I probably would have shied away from it.
The one band that I play in (called 2-Point Enhancement) played a graduation ceremony for the drug and alcohol program. We played 4 songs which went very well. The warden attended for the first time in her tenure. Since we played so well, we were asked to play for an upcoming GED graduation ceremony on Memorial Day Weekend. After we played, we were served a hefty piece of carrot cake w/ a light cream cheese frosting - absolutely delicious!
I just finished the tutoring class and have now begun planning for the resume and interview course that I will be teaching to 25 of my closest inmates...I'm not nervous about teaching the course, especially with my experience with teaching high school. I am just happy to help out this prison-community in some way. I don't want to be a lump on the log during my experience!
I wish you all an incredible week and hope you continue to look for the amazing, little miracles in your life!