Jerry

Jerry had many friends in prison who write me. They all have stories. I also run into those who knew him on the outside. And I have used my visits, along with their stories, to piece together his life. But in the end, it has to be the man I knew for four years as he bared his soul to me, as good friends do. If he were alive, we might be playing golf today, or he might be helping me with my house. He might have gone to church with me yesterday. I remember him this way; it’s my choice. I am titling the book, A SPECIES OF INSANITY, not because he was insane but because we as a collective group treat others in an insane manner.  We don’t deal with problems, we hide them.  But I choose to be optimistic and will go through the rest of my life trying to improve the world. Jerry and I talked about this a lot. I told him my belief that all of us are in some kind of prison, whether it be anger, or jealousy, or greed, or whatever consumes us. He agreed and understood my belief that the only way to rise above this is through faith; not the kind of faith that simply hopes, but the faith that God will provide for us. He was beginning to accept this belief. Several times, he mentioned fellow inmate in need and asked if I could help. I was glad to. Their responses were great and Jerry was a little surprised at how a small bit of kindness worked. We talked about God’s kindness and how He wanted Jerry to be happy. My hope is that all those he had wronged will forgive and understand that he was a different person in the end.