Lots of time to think about mom
This Mother's Day, incarcerated young men share their poignant relationships with their mothers.
from the May 10, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
But not all the moms were jewels, benefactors, boosters, or warrior princesses. There were memories of absence and the absence of good memories:
"We were reunited after her missing in action for about a year."
"When I was 10, she left. It was Christmas. She never came home again."
"I'm sitting trying to come up with some memorable mother-son moments, but I seem to be unable to write anything. It's kind of a reminder of the misfortunes of my childhood. I find myself getting a little emotional and saddened at the thought of not having something to offer."
"I would tell her that even when she gave in to her drug addictions, I would love her.... All that glitters isn't told [sic]. Lots of what glitters gets old."
Prison imposes structure and discipline. Tenderness, understandably, is not part of the regimen. Affection certainly isn't.
Incarceration brings home what was underappreciated at home. And incarceration provides plenty of time to dwell on regrets – especially son-mother disconnect and discord, son-to-mother "misdemeanors."
Those regrets may be strong enough to counter the temptations and miscalculations that result in recidivism. When it comes to moms, at least, inmates don't want to be repeat offenders.
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