Having a friend in prison has been an illuminating experience for me.
I have been contemplating and learning about what that life means, on a day-to-day basis, by corresponding and visiting my friend. It has made me aware of the treasure of physical, personal freedom–something I had never thought about much before. Who would have thought that the resulting essay, freshly published in Tablet, would be so appropriate at this time of the COVID-19 Pandemic when we all –around the world–find ourselves reduced to our innermost cirle, and quite often are confined to home?
At least, I would say, we have retained the comforts of home! And we should appreciate them all the more!
Here’s my essay: A Friend in Prison
I hope you and yours are well, and do let me know what you think!
Beautiful, Annette. What a time to contemplate all that we have and haven’t. I hope we find new balance and insight when this is behind us. Although, in reality it never will. It appears you’ve already begun that process of contemplation. Be safe. Be well.
Thank you, David! I am pretty sure we’ll glean some insight from all of this, the question is whether we apply what we learn…
Thank you for sharing this perspective, Annette. It reminds me a little of visiting someone in the mental health ward of a hospital – where you have to lock up your belongings in a locker before heading to the visitation room. It is a reminder to listen and learn from other experiences, and not be quick to judge. We all have a different path through life.
Thanks, Steph, for sharing your experience as well, visiting a patient in a mental hospital. Life is hard sometimes, and there is a lot of suffering, and all we can do is try to make this world a better place by supporting each other.