The thought of him, along with the love of my family, is what keeps me going each day.
An incident that had a profound impact on me occurred when I was 18. I was involved in a car accident and lost my baby. That experience taught me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. It’s a lesson that shapes how I approach each day—knowing that I may not see tomorrow pushes me to make the most of today.
Being incarcerated has taught me a great deal about myself. I’ve come to realize that I struggle with codependency, and I’ve worked hard to understand and manage it. I have a one-year-old son, whom I had while incarcerated. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to see him a few times.
The thought of him, along with the love of my family, is what keeps me going each day. My family and my animals—who are like my children—are my motivation. What brings me comfort is spending time with my family and being surrounded by my dogs. I also find solace in going for drives on back-country roads. It’s during these long drives, with music playing, that I find clarity and peace.