Prisoner Honors Mother After Her Death

 Every year on Mother's Day, I like to honor mothers of prisoners by highlighting how important they are in the lives of many prisoners. Sometimes, only Mom sticks with you through the consequences of your worst choices. For some, sadly, Mom isn't around any longer, but she's still a motivating factor on turning one's life around. 

This truth is evident in my friend Hank's life. Hank was one of three children born to his mother. Though both of his siblings graduated from high school, Hank dropped out, ran the streets, sold drugs, and committed crimes that landed him in prison. His mother lamented to him that she had beautiful graduation pictures of her other two children, but none from him. 

In 2017, Hank applied for and was accepted into the Calvin Prison Initiative. He told his mom, "I'm going to earn that graduation picture for you!" She was thrilled, and proud, that he'd begun to turn his life around and make better choices. Sadly, Hank's mom died a couple of years before he graduated from college. But on May 9th, Hank will walk with his class of 2022 to receive his bachelor's degree. With every step across that stage, he'll be thinking of his mom and dedicating his success to her and her unconditional love and support for him. 

Hank is just one of many prisoners who are now seeking to make something positive out of their lives. They (we, I should say) chose the wrong path earlier in life, but rather than let those poor choices forever define them, they are now seeking to transform themselves, to form a new identity. For some, that motivation is strengthened by the desire to make loved ones, like mom, proud of them. 

I'm sure Hank's mom, were she alive today, would be deeply proud of her son. Though he did all the work to earn his degree, he did so, at least in part, because his mom believed in him and wanted something better for his life. His success is a big THANK YOU to his mom. 

Not every mother of a prisoner can stand in pride next to her son or daughter, but every prisoner should strive to make that so. I hope that in the thirteen plus years I've been in prison I have made my mom proud of me. She, and so many other mothers, deserve far more than we could ever give them for their many sacrifices and unconditional love. 

So, to all you moms of prisoners, THANK YOU!