OT-My sister

December 26, 2003

Most of you probably know that my baby sister is in prison near me, on drug

charges. It has been very difficult for her family, and for ALL our family.

We’re lucky that she got placed close enough to me that I can go see her

often on visitation, and her husband, daughter, our mother, and other family

members can come visit with her, without the expense of hotel rooms (she,

and the rest of my family live in Texas, I live in Oklahoma). One thing we’

re all worried about is whether prison would have a positive or negative

effect on her. I’ve seen it, in my police experience, go both ways.

Well, I went to visit her today. Each time I see her, I am amazed at the

transformation taking place. She’s enrolled (by her choice) in the prison’s

rehab courses. So far she has completed anger management, and behavior

modification, and has finished at the top of both classes. She’s making

plans to enroll in college when she gets out in a year. I know she could be

blowing smoke, but what really convinced me was when I told her that an

Oklahoma State Trooper was murdered on a traffic stop last night, just about

exactly where she was arrested. She got a panic stricken look on her face,

and asked me, “It wasn’t XXXX, was it?”, naming the trooper who arrested

her. She was genuinely concerned that it wasn’t. I told her that it wasn’t.

She said, it’s a horrible loss, but I’m so glad it wasn’t him. She said, “He

told me, when he arrested me, that he wasn’t doing it to hurt me. He was

doing it to save my life. I believe he was right. I don’t know where I’d be

right now if this hadn’t happened.”

I think my little sister is going to be okay. Probably better than okay,

when she gets out.

I just had to share. Thanks for “listening.”

Jac

Friends are angels who lift you up, when your wings have forgotten how to

fly.

mail to: jholdaway@...

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