Editor:
I send my utmost respects. I woke one morning to find a paper copy of this newspaper crumpled up outside my house, right on my front lawn. That is how I first heard of your news… I’m the wife of a man doing time. My husband has been down since 2004 and since the sentencing I have made it my mission to help convicts all across my county…
My heart goes out to you all, but through these years I have been the brunt of judgment and at times have had heavy expectations weighed upon me. I have gained much insight and have even been able to help new inmates prepare mentally for prison…You can never be prepared because life continues in and out of those walls, whether we are waiting or not…
By the time my husband (God willing) gets out, I’ll be an old pro myself. Anyway now that I have (and will continue to do so) made attempts at understanding his conditions, I thought I would take this chance to provide insight as well. Being the loved one of the inmate we must endure our inmate’s moods, hate mail, accusations as well as his better moments. Never in all my mail or phone conversation with other inmates have they spoken about how difficult it must be to be on the other side. They feel as if freedom grants us all the joys of life automatically. They do not realize our commitment to them means restrictions and emotional challenges that we must endure alone.
I do not and will not ever discredit or try to lower the level of hardship – instead I acknowledge it and empathize because I’ve been on bonds since he has. My heart is my warden and time only makes us grow closer. I don’t do his time; I do my time. This is just so those inmates with loved ones can have a little more understanding of our hardships and in acknowledgement and sharing build each other up and make stronger relationships.
Mrs. Lydia Muniz
Civilian