Giving thanks for freedom.
Remembering the loneliness of holidays in prison.
December 19th, 2018
By Richard Bronson
Time incarcerated is always lonely. Family and friends are missed. Events — both every day, like watching a football game with the guys, or significant, like seeing a baby’s first steps, attending a graduation or a funeral — are always on the inmate’s mind.
Holidays are particularly painful. Missing Thanksgiving really hurts.
This holiday brings to mind time spent with one’s family, the people who have known you from when you were small, before your life took a very dark turn that included breaking the law. Thanksgiving means a huge meal, with many courses that leave you sleepy and stuffed and very content. There’s the inevitable nap, made special when an infant falls asleep as well, in your arms.
In prison, you may have friends that will celebrate the holiday with you, and certainly you’ll feel a sense of thanks that you found these people in this strange, lonely place.
But unlike the family that remains with you through good times and bad, with whom you celebrate the good times and console each other through bad, chances are your prison relationships will grow distant over time, reminders of lonely days spent celebrating sad holidays like Thanksgiving.
If you have loved ones behind bars, this holiday is at least as painful. Give thanks that this sad nightmare will someday end, and there will be another joyous day to celebrate, together.
— Richard Bronson, Founder/CEO
