A Member Submission – Thanksgiving
I am thankful for the support I receive from being involved in this community.
I am thankful that others with greater challenges than I will ever know still have the capacity to demonstrate so much empathy for others engaged in this daily struggle.
I am thankful for the growing number of small victories we see happening in courts around the country. There are fearless judges asking the toughest questions, “How is that not punishment; Where are the studies to suggest that approach is needed; Where are the studies that show that approach ever worked; Is there an actual purpose other than punishment to that requirement; How is that the least intrusive method; How is that not compelled speech?” I am thankful each and every one of these judges thinks, questions and is firm when others wilt to the challenge.
I am thankful that some in legislative bodies listen when advised that no studies exist that correlate residency restrictions to child safety and the sole result of these policies is economic hardship, isolation, homelessness and the creation of community blight; not improved child safety.
I am thankful for the support of my family. They are the rocks in the ever flowing river of challenge that is my life.
I am thankful for the support of my friends. That can never be over appreciated or understated.
I am thankful for the support for a number of my neighbors. Waiving while driving by, or stopping to talk while I walk the dog is a daily revelation in the power of community healing.
I am thankful for a broader support group of professionals that treat me like a professional. I always need that.
And, I am thankful I have found how much I love me. Without that, I would have never shed shame, picked myself up and committed myself to dedicating each day to being the person I want to be and need to be.
Not everyone will have the Thanksgiving day they want as families remain separated. We know some of you are separated by incarceration, mandatory separation rules, broken relationships, or whatever the cause may be. Please know many of us are thinking of you.
I am thankful for those who hated me or judged me because I committed a crime decades ago and showed their true self so I could erase them from my life. You lost. I am better off without you.
Amen. Beautiful thoughts to share and I feel the same. I also know that without my FAC family over the years I would have been lost. I wish all of us better days ahead and am grateful to each person who shares and cares.
WOW. Thank you. I really needed to read that, it brought tears to my eyes. Things are getting better, we just need to hold on a little longer.
amen.
Thank you and keep the faith, stay strong, stay vigilant and most of all, seek help or support when it is needed so you do not end up back in the Hell many of us went through.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I am also so very grateful for this organization/community. I felt so alone and abandoned. Friends, family, colleagues all turned their back on me. Even my wife of over 10 years divorced me (because of the stigma association and overbearing embarrassment).
I fear what would have become of me without FAC and its community. God Bless you all!