The Shadow of Our Burden *

Today I got to see C. for the first time in a month. I haven't received a letter from her in more than two weeks. Needless to say, it was great to see her. She's been going 200 miles per hour since the semester let out with a job, internship, summer classes, and other responsibilities. She showed up stressed.

That is the hardest part of prison for me: seeing her stretched to her limit and not being able to help her. Instead, I'm an added burden to her and to my family. There's nothing I can do for myself; I have to rely on others for everything.

On top of that, C. had to leave early to get back to work on time so we wouldn't even get the full two hours of our visit. I was able to persuade her to stay for the whole two hours, but I felt terrible for being selfish and adding more stress for her.

I hate being here. I can't wait until I get out. Then I can be a helping solution to problems instead of a problem to be solved.





* "Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us." - Samuel Smiles