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Those memories reminded me of how I almost gave up and lost my humanity, and a little tenderness, love and care from some good old girls nursed me back to sanity, so I could develop into the human God wanted me to be.

My family was murdered when I was 20. I was charged and convicted with the crime. Now before I went before the court and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, I was sent to a mental hospital for evaluation. Everyone despised me and I was treated like a leper. The things they said and did to me, made my heart grow hard, filled me with hate. I turned my back on the world and everybody. Excuse my language, I just didn’t give a f— anymore. During my stay there, I started having daily dealings with a middle aged white woman named Patty. She always wanted to play dominoes and cards with me when she came to work. She was the only one who wasn’t afraid of me or treated me like a monster. Somehow she knew I was innocent, and told me she knew I wasn’t a murderer. My dealing and friendship with Patty brought my humanity back. Eventually, I was able to get a job working in a paint store with two girls. I had a soft spot for Erin and Keely. Eventually, people started warming up to me. I almost made a girlfriend, but it wasn’t meant to be. I got sentenced to prison for the rest of my life. I don’t talk to people about my experiences at the hospital and in the store, but I keep it in my heart, and the people who cared for me like Patty, Erin and Keely. Those memories reminded me of how I almost gave up and lost my humanity, and a little tenderness, love and care from some good old girls nursed me back to sanity, so I could develop into the human God wanted me to be.

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Every piece comes from someone serving a sentence. Every piece reminds you they are so much more than that.

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