I recently received an award in treatment that was very meaningful to me. Several of the women in our program wrote me letters, and I decided to share some of them with all of you.
Ms. Louder,
Since I met you I have always admired your willingness and passion to help others. I have seen you let yourself be vulnerable in this program, and really put yourself out there. You have so much compassion! You’re a great mom, and have a beautiful family that seems to love you very much. You are strong and courageous and will never be the choices that brought you here. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to know you and spend this time with you. You have grown so much, and have so much to offer not only the community here, but the world out there! You inspire me more every day to keep going and focus on the future. You make me want to do my best. Thank you so much for all that you do for us
Ms. Louder,
As soon as you came into the program you started to blossom. Your words are very impactful, and helpful. You go above and beyond to help anyone even when you’re struggling. You always have a positive attitude, and I admire that so much about you. You have grown a lot, and I am blessed to have shared this journey with you. You’re a great mother, friend, and mentor. I hope you continue helping others because you have something very special that makes a difference. Thank you for all you do.
Ms. Louder,
There are so many great things I can say about you. Let me start by addressing your humility, you open yourself up and expose yourself so we all feel welcome on this journey. Integrity is definitely your strength! Loving mother, great friend, strong leader; you are an example that shows what RDAP is all about. Thank you for letting me and many others take this ride with you. I hope you keep moving forward in your faith and reminding me that there are people in this world willing to help along the way.
Portia,
Since the day I met you your strength and fervency have been apparent. You are a natural leader with the capacity to inspire. However, my greatest pleasure has come in watching you love and accept the vulnerable side of yourself. I have heard you say that you are going to leave prison an “amazing person” but the truth is you already are!
Dear friend,
When I first met you and heard part of your story I was in awe at how put together and articulate you are with words, as well as your kindness towards others. It has brought me so much joy to be in this program with you. Not only am I learning from your insight, and finding hope and being inspired by your integrity, but I can also relate to the woman that seems so put together who can also be vulnerable. I am honored that you have shared that side as well, for that is what shows your real strength.
I feel extremely blessed right now! These experiences are changing my life, and I wanted to share some of the good things I am experiencing with all of you. My whole family is coming to visit me this weekend. It will be the first time in three and a half years that we will all be together at the same time, and I will be seeing my new grandson for the first time. I will be home next year. It could be as early as February, but probably closer to August. It will depend on how much halfway house time I am given. I am grateful that all of you have shared this time with me, I feel deeply humbled by the love and support you have shared with me on this journey. I will be posting pictures, and writing a post after my visit, and I thank you all for following along:)
