Monday, June 28, 2004
Faith
Hello.. I hope that you’re still liking my Blog and that you can get something positive out of the messages, for your daily life. Today I received a letter from Grandma, which always gets my spirits up, because she’s always positive and thinks of God before anything else. I only hope that God keeps her (and my Grandpa, who has Alzheimer) alive, during my last years in prison. Here I’ll write the letter I received from Grandma today. I wish that I could photocopy it, but it’s impossible for me at this time. So, I will try to write it, word for word. Take care and see you next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear grandson,
God bless you and give you health. Pedrito I Pray to God, that when you receive this short letter and always, you’re enjoying good health. I will tell you, that, Enrique, is still the same, isn’t getting better, but isn’t getting worse either. They tell me that, they get worse, these people, who get this illness. But, I, Pray and ask God, much, so that he, doesn’t get worse, because, this way, that he is, doesn’t give me too much work. And me, thank God, although I have my ailments, but God helps me so much, and I can do my housework, thank God. Imagine, that God, gave me the opportunity, to teach Catechism and I could, do it, very well, with the help of God and the coperation of other people who helped me a lot, they came for me here, to the entrance gate, and then they brought me back again, imagine, God did all this, because he loves us a lot, and never, fails us. I started on January of 2004, with 12 kids and finished, the 16th of May with 14, 7 boys and 7 girls, all of them received, their first Communion, imagine, all this, was, through the grace of God. Because you know, I am older, and also I’m handicapped, because of my left foot which is the one with the broken tendon, But with the help of God, everything, can be done, if we love him; and you know, very well, that my love of God, is over all things.
Changing the subject.
I will tell you, that the message, that you sent me in your card, is really pleasant, as in a soap opera, I thank you so much, and always ask God, to take care of you and the others, and soon, you all can, accomplish your good, wishes, now I tell you until the next one if God permits, I hope, I can send you, something as a gift for Father’s Day, if God permits as always in a money order.
Your Grandma, who never forgets you, with all my heart, for you and your pals, my blessing to all with all my love. From your Grandma and mom,
Toñita.
Ps. The letter has orthographic mistakes, but this is how Grandma writes and I wanted to write it exactly as she wrote it.
Message for the Soul
Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally met the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us. Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had. Maybe it is true that we don’t know what we have until it’s gone, but maybe it is also true that we don’t know what we have been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don’t expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their heart; but if it doesn’t, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Don’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much, that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you only have one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling, and everyone around you is crying.
Dear grandson,
God bless you and give you health. Pedrito I Pray to God, that when you receive this short letter and always, you’re enjoying good health. I will tell you, that, Enrique, is still the same, isn’t getting better, but isn’t getting worse either. They tell me that, they get worse, these people, who get this illness. But, I, Pray and ask God, much, so that he, doesn’t get worse, because, this way, that he is, doesn’t give me too much work. And me, thank God, although I have my ailments, but God helps me so much, and I can do my housework, thank God. Imagine, that God, gave me the opportunity, to teach Catechism and I could, do it, very well, with the help of God and the coperation of other people who helped me a lot, they came for me here, to the entrance gate, and then they brought me back again, imagine, God did all this, because he loves us a lot, and never, fails us. I started on January of 2004, with 12 kids and finished, the 16th of May with 14, 7 boys and 7 girls, all of them received, their first Communion, imagine, all this, was, through the grace of God. Because you know, I am older, and also I’m handicapped, because of my left foot which is the one with the broken tendon, But with the help of God, everything, can be done, if we love him; and you know, very well, that my love of God, is over all things.
Changing the subject.
I will tell you, that the message, that you sent me in your card, is really pleasant, as in a soap opera, I thank you so much, and always ask God, to take care of you and the others, and soon, you all can, accomplish your good, wishes, now I tell you until the next one if God permits, I hope, I can send you, something as a gift for Father’s Day, if God permits as always in a money order.
Your Grandma, who never forgets you, with all my heart, for you and your pals, my blessing to all with all my love. From your Grandma and mom,
Toñita.
Ps. The letter has orthographic mistakes, but this is how Grandma writes and I wanted to write it exactly as she wrote it.
Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally met the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us. Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had. Maybe it is true that we don’t know what we have until it’s gone, but maybe it is also true that we don’t know what we have been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don’t expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their heart; but if it doesn’t, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. Don’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much, that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you only have one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling, and everyone around you is crying.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Don't Give Up
Hello, thanks for supporting this Blog. I’m a bit tired because I had a basketball game. And it was really grueling, both physically and mentally, because we lost and I don’t like losing. When there were only a few minutes to finish the game and we were losing by six, I got disillusioned and gave up. It was a game we weren’t supposed to lose, being that we are a very coupled team.
As I was saying, I gave up and I don’t know why because I’m not like that. I always give my best. Perhaps, for that reason, I felt that way, because I saw that the rest of my team weren’t giving their best. Although at the end we gave a little effort, but still... we lost by three. After the game, I said to myself: “This will never happen again; I will not give up anymore.” This is all for now, bye.
Don’t Give Up
Don’t give up! There may be times when you feel as if you have taken a million steps towards your dream, and acted on your plans, only to find yourself in the same place that you began. At a time like this, you must not give up.
When you feels as if all that you have strived after and worked for has failed, you must continue on, though you feel lost, bewildered and alone, continue to believe in yourself. If you allow discouragement and doubt to blur your vision and wash away your dream, then you will be left with nothing. Visualize your way beyond the detours, stand-stills and obstacles.
You will realize your dreams. When someone has worked as hard as you have, and have taken so many productive steps, they will succeed. Whatever the setback is at the moment, it will pass. Tomorrow is always a new dawn. Today you must pause, catch your breath and look ahead. Each step will bring you closer to your dreams.
As I was saying, I gave up and I don’t know why because I’m not like that. I always give my best. Perhaps, for that reason, I felt that way, because I saw that the rest of my team weren’t giving their best. Although at the end we gave a little effort, but still... we lost by three. After the game, I said to myself: “This will never happen again; I will not give up anymore.” This is all for now, bye.
Don’t give up! There may be times when you feel as if you have taken a million steps towards your dream, and acted on your plans, only to find yourself in the same place that you began. At a time like this, you must not give up.
When you feels as if all that you have strived after and worked for has failed, you must continue on, though you feel lost, bewildered and alone, continue to believe in yourself. If you allow discouragement and doubt to blur your vision and wash away your dream, then you will be left with nothing. Visualize your way beyond the detours, stand-stills and obstacles.
You will realize your dreams. When someone has worked as hard as you have, and have taken so many productive steps, they will succeed. Whatever the setback is at the moment, it will pass. Tomorrow is always a new dawn. Today you must pause, catch your breath and look ahead. Each step will bring you closer to your dreams.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Being Positive
How are you doing? I hope that great. I’m doing fine, although a bit sleepy since it’s already 1:15 a.m. I’m in the Television room and there’s nothing good to watch. I thought that they were going to air a good movie at 1:00 a.m. and when the guard open the door, I decided to stay. Now I’ll have to wait until 2:00 a.m. when they open the door once again, so I can go to sleep. Thank God that tomorrow (I mean, today, being that it’s past midnight) I don’t have to wake up early.
Sometimes when I stay awake until really late, I start wondering about what the future holds for me. I think about my goals, achievements, dreams and things like that. I desire so much to be successful after I leave this place. I would like to start a business and that it goes well, so that my family can do well economically. I know that I will make it because I’m really persevering and I’m not afraid of failure. I only hope that it won’t be too hard. As I read in a magazine and it went like this: “If fear to failure or someone’s opinion paralyzes you, remember that the only failure consists in letting oneself give up, and that the opinion of others doesn’t have any power over you, unless you allow it. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Remember that the only failure is not trying. Keep going every day, no matter what your internal voice tells you. If it’s a negative message, tell it to be quiet! Show it who’s in control and keep going until you reach your goal. If you keep going toward your dreams with humbleness and perseverance, you will reach them. If the dream is beautiful, if it’s worth it and you really desire it with all your heart, learn to see each obstacle as another step, not as an impediment.”
This is all for now. Thanks for visiting this Blog. Later.
Here are a few thoughts.
Sincerely,
Pedro
Positive Thoughts
~ The only way we can get where we’re going is to do what needs to be done to get there.
~ Sometimes, unjust situations will change for the better.
~ It’s amazing how much we have to know before we realize how little we know.
~ Some people succeed because they’re destined to, but most people succeed because they’re determined to.
~ The best way to make it through a battle is to focus on the outcome.
~ In the middle of difficulties, lies opportunities.
~ The smallest deeds are better than the greatest intentions.
~ Failure is just a stepping stone to realize success.
~ Great opportunities come to those who make the most out of the small ones.
~ It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.
~ Personality has the power to open doors, but it is character that keeps them open.
~ What tomorrow holds, depends on what you do today.
~ I can give you a fish which will feed you for a night, but if I teach you how to fish, that will feed you for the rest of your life.
Sometimes when I stay awake until really late, I start wondering about what the future holds for me. I think about my goals, achievements, dreams and things like that. I desire so much to be successful after I leave this place. I would like to start a business and that it goes well, so that my family can do well economically. I know that I will make it because I’m really persevering and I’m not afraid of failure. I only hope that it won’t be too hard. As I read in a magazine and it went like this: “If fear to failure or someone’s opinion paralyzes you, remember that the only failure consists in letting oneself give up, and that the opinion of others doesn’t have any power over you, unless you allow it. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Remember that the only failure is not trying. Keep going every day, no matter what your internal voice tells you. If it’s a negative message, tell it to be quiet! Show it who’s in control and keep going until you reach your goal. If you keep going toward your dreams with humbleness and perseverance, you will reach them. If the dream is beautiful, if it’s worth it and you really desire it with all your heart, learn to see each obstacle as another step, not as an impediment.”
This is all for now. Thanks for visiting this Blog. Later.
Here are a few thoughts.
Sincerely,
Pedro
~ The only way we can get where we’re going is to do what needs to be done to get there.
~ Sometimes, unjust situations will change for the better.
~ It’s amazing how much we have to know before we realize how little we know.
~ Some people succeed because they’re destined to, but most people succeed because they’re determined to.
~ The best way to make it through a battle is to focus on the outcome.
~ In the middle of difficulties, lies opportunities.
~ The smallest deeds are better than the greatest intentions.
~ Failure is just a stepping stone to realize success.
~ Great opportunities come to those who make the most out of the small ones.
~ It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.
~ Personality has the power to open doors, but it is character that keeps them open.
~ What tomorrow holds, depends on what you do today.
~ I can give you a fish which will feed you for a night, but if I teach you how to fish, that will feed you for the rest of your life.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Subscription to this Blog
Hello there... I've changed the link to subscribe to this blog. And instead of Bloglet, it's Notifylist.com . I've updated the link on the sidebar. I had to change it cause I couldn't configure the other one. Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Pedro
Sincerely,
Pedro
Friday, June 18, 2004
Calls
Hi! I’m feeling somewhat desperate today, because I don’t have any more minutes left on my telephone account. We only have access to 300 minutes a month, which sincerely, aren’t enough. Each phone call is programmed to last 15 minutes max. With the 300 minutes, we can only make 20 calls of 15 minutes each. It’s up to us how to play with the minutes so they will last the whole month. I’m always short of minutes and sometimes I get frustrated, but what can I do? There are a few people that I need to call every month, which seems impossible: my sons, my mom, my family and my best friends. And when I’m left without minutes, whatever day of the month, I have to wait until the 1st day of the next month when they give me access to my next 300 minutes, and then start the same dilemma of every month.
Sincerely,
Pedro
Ps. Happy Father’s Day!
Telephone Father
I call them as often as possible to see how they are doing and to make sure they are safe. Like me, those behind bars pay a heavy price, but it’s the children of prisoners who are punished most severely. From the recesses of my soul, I hear my boys cry out, “Please, hurry home, Daddy.” They used to ask, “When are you coming home?” all the time and I would hurry and change the subject. Now, years later, they have stopped asking and I’m glad for it. I can’t give them the answer they so want to hear, and it hurts me so much. I’ve considered severing all ties with them, but when I talk to them, I hear the happiness in their voices and I know I can’t. God only knows how much I miss them, so I continue to be the best telephone father I can be.
Sincerely,
Pedro
Ps. Happy Father’s Day!
I call them as often as possible to see how they are doing and to make sure they are safe. Like me, those behind bars pay a heavy price, but it’s the children of prisoners who are punished most severely. From the recesses of my soul, I hear my boys cry out, “Please, hurry home, Daddy.” They used to ask, “When are you coming home?” all the time and I would hurry and change the subject. Now, years later, they have stopped asking and I’m glad for it. I can’t give them the answer they so want to hear, and it hurts me so much. I’ve considered severing all ties with them, but when I talk to them, I hear the happiness in their voices and I know I can’t. God only knows how much I miss them, so I continue to be the best telephone father I can be.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Freedom
Hi there. I hope that you and your loved ones are doing great.
Today, one of my cell mates left this place, in freedom. This is something that always makes me happy, because there’s nothing more beautiful than being able to enjoy freedom. I know that many will think that if someone commits a crime, that they have to pay the consequences, and they’re right. But there are many people in jail who are innocent or that they’ve been sentenced to more years than they really deserve. Anyway, as I was saying... sometimes I wonder, what would be my reaction the day I start going out the door, to my freedom? Will I feel happiness, fear, sadness or something else? I know that I would have to feel really happy that I’m finally going to be able to enjoy my family, but I will leave thinking about the friends that are still behind bars. It may be hard to believe, but in here one’s able to start friendships which are good and true. Not everyone’s like this, but some are. Although, it’s only a few who once they leave this place, write a letter to find out about the well-being of those people they left behind.
I also wonder if those who are free now, are doing things right. Being that this is a really big experience and one learns many things. If one gets out of here with the same mentality as when we got in, sadly, we will end up in jail. And in all the years I’ve been imprisoned, I’ve seen a few come back and with longer sentences than the one before. Even though being in prison is something negative, one can take advantage of it because there are many things to learn. It can be in the Vocational School or in the different workshops they offer in here. From a negative experience can come out something positive. At least, this is what I personally think. I’m not going to give my family any more suffering. They don’t deserve it. They educated me well enough and I failed them.
This is all for now. Here’s another short message which reflects the way I feel for my sons, and I know that the other fathers who are imprisoned feel the same way. Ever since I read it, I liked it and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Father at a Distance
I never thought that my sons would be nurtured and loved by me, their father... at a distance.
I never dreamed that I would be jealous of others, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought that as my children grew, my picture would be hanging on their walls, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought I would feel lack of control, lack of power over the life of my sons, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought that the moments I spend with my sons would be monitored with time limits placed upon us, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought I would become stuck in the past, just to give my mind relief, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I guess one would say, “What eases the suffering, this pain, this mental anguish?”
I’m a father at a distance.
Thanks to God who maintains a strong bond between my sons and me, and soothes my pain, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
Today, one of my cell mates left this place, in freedom. This is something that always makes me happy, because there’s nothing more beautiful than being able to enjoy freedom. I know that many will think that if someone commits a crime, that they have to pay the consequences, and they’re right. But there are many people in jail who are innocent or that they’ve been sentenced to more years than they really deserve. Anyway, as I was saying... sometimes I wonder, what would be my reaction the day I start going out the door, to my freedom? Will I feel happiness, fear, sadness or something else? I know that I would have to feel really happy that I’m finally going to be able to enjoy my family, but I will leave thinking about the friends that are still behind bars. It may be hard to believe, but in here one’s able to start friendships which are good and true. Not everyone’s like this, but some are. Although, it’s only a few who once they leave this place, write a letter to find out about the well-being of those people they left behind.
I also wonder if those who are free now, are doing things right. Being that this is a really big experience and one learns many things. If one gets out of here with the same mentality as when we got in, sadly, we will end up in jail. And in all the years I’ve been imprisoned, I’ve seen a few come back and with longer sentences than the one before. Even though being in prison is something negative, one can take advantage of it because there are many things to learn. It can be in the Vocational School or in the different workshops they offer in here. From a negative experience can come out something positive. At least, this is what I personally think. I’m not going to give my family any more suffering. They don’t deserve it. They educated me well enough and I failed them.
This is all for now. Here’s another short message which reflects the way I feel for my sons, and I know that the other fathers who are imprisoned feel the same way. Ever since I read it, I liked it and I wanted to share it with all of you.
I never thought that my sons would be nurtured and loved by me, their father... at a distance.
I never dreamed that I would be jealous of others, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought that as my children grew, my picture would be hanging on their walls, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought I would feel lack of control, lack of power over the life of my sons, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought that the moments I spend with my sons would be monitored with time limits placed upon us, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I never thought I would become stuck in the past, just to give my mind relief, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
I guess one would say, “What eases the suffering, this pain, this mental anguish?”
I’m a father at a distance.
Thanks to God who maintains a strong bond between my sons and me, and soothes my pain, because...
I’m a father at a distance.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Violence
Hello, I hope you’re all doing great. Here we have a program called The Non-Violence Outreach Program, which was founded by different inmates, with the objective of helping find other alternatives to the problems we face, instead of resorting to violence. The program is fun and pleasant; it has dynamics, games, talks and many more things. I’m one of the facilitators (teachers), even though I’m a bit self-conscious while addressing other people. But, little by little, I’m doing better. Some other time I will tell you more about the program so that you can appreciate it better, being that they want the program to start in the community. It’s something similar to A.V.P. (Alternative Violence Program) which is already in progress and with much success.
Here’s another short story and it’s about some very important people in our lives.
Later!
That Angel
There’s a story about a child, soon to be born, who asks God:
- “You’re sending me to the world tomorrow. But, how will I live there, being so weak and small?”
- “Among many angels, I chose one who’s waiting for you”, answered God.
- “But here in Heaven, I’m always singing and smiling, and that’s enough for my happiness. Will I be able to do it over there?”
- “That angel will sing to you and will make you smile every day and you will feel very happy with its songs and smiles.”
- “And, how will I understand when they talk to me, if I don’t understand the strange language of Man?”
- “That angel will talk to you and will teach you the sweetest and kindest words that humans have heard.”
- “What will I do when I want to speak with you?”
- “That angel will put your tiny hands together and teach you to pray.”
- “I’ve heard that there are many bad people in the world. Who will defend me?”
- “That angel will defend you with its life.”
- “But I’ll always be sad because I won’t see you anymore, Lord. Without seeing you, I will feel really alone.”
- “That angel will talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to my presence”, said God.
In that instant, an immense peace came over Heaven. No earthly voices were heard. The child said softly: “What’s its name, Lord?” and God answered: “That angel is called: Mom”.
Here’s another short story and it’s about some very important people in our lives.
Later!
There’s a story about a child, soon to be born, who asks God:
- “You’re sending me to the world tomorrow. But, how will I live there, being so weak and small?”
- “Among many angels, I chose one who’s waiting for you”, answered God.
- “But here in Heaven, I’m always singing and smiling, and that’s enough for my happiness. Will I be able to do it over there?”
- “That angel will sing to you and will make you smile every day and you will feel very happy with its songs and smiles.”
- “And, how will I understand when they talk to me, if I don’t understand the strange language of Man?”
- “That angel will talk to you and will teach you the sweetest and kindest words that humans have heard.”
- “What will I do when I want to speak with you?”
- “That angel will put your tiny hands together and teach you to pray.”
- “I’ve heard that there are many bad people in the world. Who will defend me?”
- “That angel will defend you with its life.”
- “But I’ll always be sad because I won’t see you anymore, Lord. Without seeing you, I will feel really alone.”
- “That angel will talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to my presence”, said God.
In that instant, an immense peace came over Heaven. No earthly voices were heard. The child said softly: “What’s its name, Lord?” and God answered: “That angel is called: Mom”.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Hello
How are you guys doing? I hope you’re all fine and enjoying this Blog. Being that we had Mother’s Day last month, I’d like to congratulate all the mothers in the world. Especially, my mom, Annie; my grandma, Toñita; my aunt, Glorín; my sister, Sheylla; Aunt Zory and all my friends who are moms. And last, but not least, to all the moms who are in prison at the moment. May all your hopes, goals, and dreams come true.
Going through old papers, I found a beautiful story about moms that I’d like to share with you now. Here it is!
Sincerely,
P.M.
Why Mothers Cry
“Why are you crying?”, he asked his mom.
“Because I’m a mother”, she told him.
“I don’t understand”, he said.
His mom just hugged him and said, “You never will”.
Later, the little boy asked his father why his mother seemed to cry for no reason.
“All mothers cry for no reason”, was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry.
So, he finally put a call to God, and when God got on the phone, the man said, “God, why do mothers cry so easily?” God said, “You see son, when I made mothers, they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children. I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families, through sickness and fatigue, without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them badly. This same sensitivity helps them make a child’s boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager’s anxiety and fears. I gave them a tear to shed. It’s theirs exclusively to use whenever it’s needed. It’s their only weakness. It’s a tear for mankind.
Going through old papers, I found a beautiful story about moms that I’d like to share with you now. Here it is!
Sincerely,
P.M.
“Why are you crying?”, he asked his mom.
“Because I’m a mother”, she told him.
“I don’t understand”, he said.
His mom just hugged him and said, “You never will”.
Later, the little boy asked his father why his mother seemed to cry for no reason.
“All mothers cry for no reason”, was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry.
So, he finally put a call to God, and when God got on the phone, the man said, “God, why do mothers cry so easily?” God said, “You see son, when I made mothers, they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children. I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families, through sickness and fatigue, without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them badly. This same sensitivity helps them make a child’s boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager’s anxiety and fears. I gave them a tear to shed. It’s theirs exclusively to use whenever it’s needed. It’s their only weakness. It’s a tear for mankind.
Friday, June 04, 2004
The Daily Routine
Hi, welcome to the Blog, Through the Walls. Today I will tell you a little bit about daily life here, which is pretty much the same every day, with the exception of a few things.
First, the guard opens the cells at 5:30 a.m. so that the inmates who are gonna get breakfast, start getting ready, because at 6:00 a.m. the chow hall opens until 7:00 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., they make the Work Call for those who have to work or study. Then, at every hour, they call the Five Minute Move in which you have from five to ten minutes to go to different places in the prison, like: the yard, the library, the medical area, the psychology area and so on. Where one goes is where we have to stay until the next Movement. At 10:00 a.m., they call the last morning Movement - Recall. In this Movement, everyone has to go back to their respective units until it’s each of our unit’s turn to go to lunch, which varies every week (depending on how the unit does - in terms of cleanliness - on it’s inspection days (1-12). Lunch starts at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m., although it ends a bit later on occasion. Other times, it ends a bit earlier (depending on what’s on the menu).
Later on, there’s another Work Call (12:35 p.m.) and then, they keep calling the Movements every hour until 3:20 p.m. - when they do another Recall, because there’s a countdown at 4:00 p.m. From 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. they call a Movement for those going to the yard, who are not going to eat dinner. After this Movement, they start calling the units, by turn, to go to eat. Everything is the same as in the morning, until 8:20 p.m. which is when they do a Recall once again for the 9:00 p.m. countdown. After this countdown, you have to stay in your unit, either watching TV, talking on the phone, writing or whatever. Finally, at 11:30 p.m., it’s time to lock yourself in you room until the next day. And the same routine starts all over again.
This has been a short summary of what we do here daily. There are still many things to talk about, but I’ll leave them for another time. In here one learns to value many things. It’s like being in school; one learns a lot.
Thanks for visiting this site. Goodbye for now and I leave you with a message.
Sincerely,
P.M.
I’ve learned;
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I’ve learned;
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person that I want to be.
I’ve learned;
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I’ve learned;
That you can keep going long after you can’t.
I’ve learned;
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I’ve learned;
That either you control your attitude, or it controls you.
I’ve learned;
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I’ve learned;
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned;
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I’ve learned;
That my best friend and I can do anything and nothing and still have a good time.
I’ve learned;
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned;
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I’ve learned;
That true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned;
That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to, doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned;
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them; and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned;
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while; and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned;
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned;
That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned;
That our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned;
That just because two people argue, doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other; and just because they don’t argue, doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned;
That we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.
I’ve learned;
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I’ve learned;
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I’ve learned;
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned;
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out for you, you will find the strength to help.
I’ve learned;
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I’ve learned;
That people you care about the most in life are taken away from you too soon.
News From This Blog
Sat.Sept.24.2005
Hello my friends! I haven't forgotten about you, although I'm still behind... Pedro
Monday.July.20.2005
Hello my friends! Sorry for the delay. I'll start posting again in July... Pedro
Monday.Nov.29.2004
There's a new link, under the Archives section, which says "Subscribe to my Blog and More..." Pedrito
Nov.23.04
My Blog's almost updated. Before this Friday I'll add Monday's entry. Take much care.
Nov.15.04
There are some days that say "Under Construction."
I'll start updating really soon.
Intro
The thoughts of a guy locked up in a Florida federal prison...
I'll try to write Mondays and Fridays...
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- Name: P.M.
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