The Little Things Mean A Lot
The little things in prison mean so much more to me. A few days ago as I was walking out of the unit to go to breakfast and a new officer said, “Let me get the door for you.” He held the door open for me and said, “Have a nice breakfast.” I almost started to cry!
As I walked down to the chow hall and watched the sun come up I felt so tender, kindness is so meaningful in prison. On my way back from breakfast I was telling B and Pam about the incident and Pam said, “Wow, that is so sweet.” She told me about a time a few months ago when an officer asked her how she was doing. She said that it felt like he actually, genuinely cared how I was doing. I told him I was a bit tired and he said he could tell I was overdoing it. Pam was so touched by his concern.
This morning as I was walking back to the unit from breakfast a women I don’t know very well came up to me and said, “Portia, I got the pictures back that you took last week and they are the most beautiful pictures I have ever had taken.” She couldn’t wait to send them home to her son. She said,” I’ve never had a picture turn out so good in or out of prison.” It made me feel so good! I took my homemade reflector over to the garden last weekend and helped the girl taking pictures set some of the pictures up:) It made me feel really good to give them a beautiful picture of themselves.
I went to a twelve step meeting last night and shared that I am grateful to know who I am. I said, ” I am a daughter of the Most High God. We all have unlimited potential.” I told the group that understanding our true nature changes everything. Today I am deliberate and thoughtful in the way I make decisions. I said,” I try to stay in a peaceful place so I can hear the whispering of the spirit. I look for the best in others and in so doing I find the best in myself.”
Chad sends me sweet messages all the time but one of his messages is so meaningful I keep it in my pocket with me everywhere I go. I’m going to share just a couple of lines of it, “Portia, you are such an incredible girl. It’s amazing how strong you are! You are beautiful and sweet and need to be home with me and our family. The BOP doesn’t deserve you, and we need you here. I think of you all day every day, you are a part of me and it’s hard not to have you by my side. There is comfort in knowing that you will always be a part of me. Chad makes me feel like a queen even in prison:)
Gratitude is the mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for reading along, I am truly grateful for your support
