I feel I got a wake up call today, and my ability to empathize just grew to a new variety of people in this lovely world. I'm not going to divulge personal or sensitive information, but one of my many classmates in school is probably going to jail. Upon first meeting all my classmates, my mind filled with instant "oh I know you" thoughts and I had to smack myself a few times to think the better of everyone. This because the only experience I've had with criminals was my cousin's dead-beat-loser-con-man-ex-husband. He conned plenty of family out of money, and smeared credit reports with his selfishness. Since getting to know them all I owe a few people sincere and heartfelt apologies. Growing up with a cop for a dad who still treated every criminal with kindness; you'd think I could do the same.
A dear classmate of mine, who I would be proud to call my friend, is probably going back to jail. Today I inquired how that would affect her schooling, and her tears upon returning to class were heartbreaking. As she quietly explained that her felony might not allow her to get her cosmetology license despite all her hard work, and trust me when I say she can roll my perm any day. I wanted to cry along her side as I realized the tears weren't for herself, but for her child. She knew she had to pay for her mistakes, but she was cursing herself for putting her greatest joy through potential heart ache. She went on to explain all the many ways she is trying to be a better parent than her parents were, and I have no doubt she is a wonderful, loving mother. For a few minutes she giggled about how smart her 3 year old was, and how the kid would figure out she wasn't on a "school field trip". It was gut wrenching, and it pained me to think how a few mistakes can haunt a person for the rest of their life.
To make her life behind bars a little more enjoyable, I'm going to write to her. And if she's in jail on her child's birthday, I already told her I'd make sure that little angel got extra random gifts from super random strangers who know their mommy. I only hope I can make a difference, and bring her the joy she deserves. She's repentant and willing to pay for her mistakes, which is all we can be in this life. Willing to pick ourselves back off the floor try to be better.
-Heather Rand.
UPDATE!! My classmate is not going to jail, she will be on parole. Yay! We were all really excited and she cried tears of joy. I'm so happy that she has the opportunity to become a cosmetologist.
