The Origin Story
In 2022 I posted a profile on a website seeking pen pals to write with. Over time I received only a few letters. Two of which came back because it was a bad address. It was quite strange. I received another from a veteran whom I write from time to time. That was it.
I presumed because I did not have a picture for my profile that I wasn't going to get very many people to write to me. My year subscription was about to expire in a few months and I was not going to renew it because I did not find any real connections. One night during late October I received a letter in the mail. It was from Germany and it had my name on it. At first I thought it may have been a mistake but nope, that's MY name. I don't know anyone from Germany. Maybe it's just some propaganda or advertising that random prison advocates send me. That's what I really thought.
I opened the letter and the handwriting was some of the best I had ever seen. 10 pages of blue ink. The handwriting reminded me of calligraphy, it was that good. How do I translate calligraphy? I can't read this! Haha. At the top of the first page was my opening line of my pen pal profile:
"Perspective Defines Individuality. Individuality Changes With New Perspective."
Okay. It's someone responding to my profile. Her name is Nina, she's well educated and has a good grasp on psychology. Really befitting because I practice Buddhism and the principles in Buddhism and modern psychology are one in the same, yet they are all impermanent. What I found in her letter and the many to come afterwards was a true friend. A person who cared me as an individual and about the position I am in and truly wants to help. To have that amount of care and support in such an isolated situation that I am in is a feeling I cannot describe unless you have been in my shoes.
She wanted to learn about my case and why I ended up with a life sentence. I was a bit skeptical of explaining the American/Texas criminal justice system because for people who do not understand how it works, it can be a bit overwhelming. How can an innocent person become convicted of a crime? The answer is simple. In America, justice is simply a demonstration of power. You need not be guilty in Texas. The moment they have you, if you are not wealthy enough to afford an attorney, you've already lost. My family was quoted $50,000 for a trial attorney to represent me.
After explaining my situation, the case, along with presenting the evidences from trial, she began to understand just how real these injustices actually are. I am the one living this and it hit me like a truck when I found out how unjust and unfair the judicial system really is. It's a bad dream without end. She offered me her help with no real way for me to possibly pay her back. It's a lot to take on. I wanted to say no because I knew the level of work it would take but at the same time, If I said no, I will most likely die in prison for a crime I did not commit. She is the reason you are reading my words today and I hope that one day I can repay her for this tremendous act of kindness.
I have become great friends with a stranger, thousands of miles away, separated by an Ocean and countless borders. Just when I thought my year subscription for a pen pal would not attract anyone, did she ever prove me wrong! The universe gifted me with someone spectacular. Why? I do not know. But I am forever grateful. Yes, I have friends and family outside of here. But they are very busy with their lives to be able to dedicate the level of help that Nina has done. It may sound heartless of them, but it is not. Americans are so used to people going to prison for very long amounts of time with very little chance of overturning their cases. But, as with anything in life, it takes effort. You cannot eat an oyster without first bypassing its shell. Nina has set the water to boil.
We got to write for months and the mail took some time. About 10 days give or take to receive a letter. Around March 20, 2023 our prison system, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) issued all of us tablets which has a messaging app that allows us to send "emessages" which are similar to emails. So now our communication is much more efficient. But unfortunately as of July 17, 2023, TDCJ is no longer allowing us to have physical mail and is now digitizing ALL mail to be sent to our tablets. I'll never again be able to hold a physical letter. Not from Nina or anyone. That truly saddens me. Messages are very convenient but it's not the same as physical mail.
So this is the Origin Story of this blog. My campaign to obtain my freedom would not be at all possible if it were not for this truly amazing person. I have so many things that need to be done and so many favors to ask that I often feel guilty for asking. Such as looking things up on the internet or sending emails. But she understands that I simply do not have these capabilities and reassures me that it's really not a big deal. I guess I am truly blessed once more because any attorney in the world would love to have a free secretary! Haha just kidding.
So please do not thank ME for being able to read my story. Thank Nina because she is the one who is making this all possible. Thank you.
Please feel free to ask me any questions that you may have.
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