I'm not sure how to write about what happned at the corte, because i don't understand it myself. I have asked the judge and the lawyer who have both explained it to me in english, and still it is not clear.
It seems there are 2 forces at work here: one is the correctional legislation, which determines how long someone remains in jail. which we were supposed to attend yesterday. The other is the the rehabilition process. these twon establishments do not seem to communicate much.
Anyway we arrived at the Corte yesterday as planned, and went to look around where we should be. we ended up in this tiny room where 13 women were working (Maarten counted them), and they explained to us... it wasn´t going to happen here in Alajuela, but in San Jose. They went to get a nice gentleman to explain it to us. he spoke english, and it turns out he is the judge. He explained the rehabilitation has chosen to send Brad to a halfway house which is in San Jose, so my father doesn´t fall under his juridiction anymore, he will send the whole file to San Jose next week and they will contact my father for a new hearing. End of story. End of story?
we spent the wqhole day with Brad at the hotel, he is out all day everyday 5 days a week, and sleeps at the halfway house 2 days.
It was amazing sitting in our kitchen here, with the music and the people, Brad was fascinated by the digital cameras (where do you put the film?) by the laptops, everything. He is sitting with me now as i write this.
Just wanted to tell everyone what is going on, Qui sait?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Holly's story
He is out, he is out he is OUT!!!!!!!
he is in a halfway house, which seems to be a place where they go to get used to their freedom. Yesterday everyone was telling us this will be the LAST night there for him, and we said... no, the trial is tuesday. This surprising country, he is there today and he loves it! no prison regime, no guards around, it is... just a house. he is really happy, he can leave on wednesday morning at 5. which means i guess he can come say goodbye at the airport...
But maybe the judge will let him go altogether.
Maarten has spoken with the dutch consul who assured us if (and this is a big if) IF he can leave the country, we shouldn't expect any problems at Schiphol in Amsterdam, or anywhere. he is an american citizen visiting his grandchildren. But that would be too good to be true, we will know more tomorrow.
Anyway, whatever happens he will be able to come and go from wednesday on, we'll see what happens. He sounded 20 years younger when i spoke to him. the anxiety is over, the waiting is nearly over.
please leave a comment if you read this, words of encouragement, anything. i will show him this blog on wednesday, before getting on the plane back home.
he is in a halfway house, which seems to be a place where they go to get used to their freedom. Yesterday everyone was telling us this will be the LAST night there for him, and we said... no, the trial is tuesday. This surprising country, he is there today and he loves it! no prison regime, no guards around, it is... just a house. he is really happy, he can leave on wednesday morning at 5. which means i guess he can come say goodbye at the airport...
But maybe the judge will let him go altogether.
Maarten has spoken with the dutch consul who assured us if (and this is a big if) IF he can leave the country, we shouldn't expect any problems at Schiphol in Amsterdam, or anywhere. he is an american citizen visiting his grandchildren. But that would be too good to be true, we will know more tomorrow.
Anyway, whatever happens he will be able to come and go from wednesday on, we'll see what happens. He sounded 20 years younger when i spoke to him. the anxiety is over, the waiting is nearly over.
please leave a comment if you read this, words of encouragement, anything. i will show him this blog on wednesday, before getting on the plane back home.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Holly`s story
OOOOH it is sooooo exciting! so many things happening, such hope and promises, imagine: the nurse hugged him last week at the check-up, and said : "this is the last time", everyone is waiting and anxious.
My friend Maarten camer down to have Brad sign a contract to produce aerial smuggler, everything is happening at once!
He himself is anxious and nervous. I made a deal with him: whatever happens we will survive!
if worst comes to worst, he will be sent back to Adulto Mayor and sit it out until the 8th of march 2008, at which date he will definitely have paid his debt to the costa rican society, and will be free to come and go as he pleases. I promised to have Esteban bring him a laptop so he can do his work correctly, and we will go on as we do now, sending books and all. If the BEST EVER happens, he will board a plane with us on wednesday morning, to Nederland. In between there is a whole range of possibilities:
Deportation to the States and forbidden to ever set foot in Costa Rica again.
Parole: living with a family a few days a week and 2 nights a week in what they call halfway house (sleep there at night, work in the day) for 2-3-6 months or a year, till march 8th.
Anyway this is as it goes.
We had fabulous times at the jail, got to know so many men with touching stories, this one who shot his wife BY ACCIDENT during a fight in the car(like Bradley says: what was he doing with a loaded gun in the car?) This bank manager whose assistent ran off with 350 million dollars, and he took the fall, the gynecologist who drugged and raped his patient (Not a friend of ours, but an interesting story!) and so on. Of course they are ALL innocent, all waiting for a fair trial.
The director of the prison, the one who kindly let us use his computer last week came to hug us friday. the whole prison stood still. What a show! what a earth shaking news, what a juicy gossip to tell in the years to come.
There is a yellow line painted on the ground by the gate. The prisoners are not allowed to cross that line under any circumstances. One day very soon he WILL cross the yellow line and wave back one last time.
My friend Maarten camer down to have Brad sign a contract to produce aerial smuggler, everything is happening at once!
He himself is anxious and nervous. I made a deal with him: whatever happens we will survive!
if worst comes to worst, he will be sent back to Adulto Mayor and sit it out until the 8th of march 2008, at which date he will definitely have paid his debt to the costa rican society, and will be free to come and go as he pleases. I promised to have Esteban bring him a laptop so he can do his work correctly, and we will go on as we do now, sending books and all. If the BEST EVER happens, he will board a plane with us on wednesday morning, to Nederland. In between there is a whole range of possibilities:
Deportation to the States and forbidden to ever set foot in Costa Rica again.
Parole: living with a family a few days a week and 2 nights a week in what they call halfway house (sleep there at night, work in the day) for 2-3-6 months or a year, till march 8th.
Anyway this is as it goes.
We had fabulous times at the jail, got to know so many men with touching stories, this one who shot his wife BY ACCIDENT during a fight in the car(like Bradley says: what was he doing with a loaded gun in the car?) This bank manager whose assistent ran off with 350 million dollars, and he took the fall, the gynecologist who drugged and raped his patient (Not a friend of ours, but an interesting story!) and so on. Of course they are ALL innocent, all waiting for a fair trial.
The director of the prison, the one who kindly let us use his computer last week came to hug us friday. the whole prison stood still. What a show! what a earth shaking news, what a juicy gossip to tell in the years to come.
There is a yellow line painted on the ground by the gate. The prisoners are not allowed to cross that line under any circumstances. One day very soon he WILL cross the yellow line and wave back one last time.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Bradley´s contract
I promise my daughters
* these people will have no problem with me
* I will not drink any kind of alcohol
* I will never upset this family
* I will behave in a kind and decent manner
* I will be clean, wash up after myself and pick up my clothes
* I will never lean a mess for others to clean
* I will not fuck up my life, or theirs
* I will never get off at Penn Station!
Five minutes later, he added a clause and signed again:
* I will never get married again, for love or money!
¿What is Penn Station? i know everyone is wondering.
When Brad was a child, and forced to pray, he never understood the words "lead us not into temptation", but thought they were "Lead us not into Penn Station" (which is a train station in New York). It has become an inside joke and a beautiful metafor for all the temptations of alcohol and grass he will face on coming out.
* these people will have no problem with me
* I will not drink any kind of alcohol
* I will never upset this family
* I will behave in a kind and decent manner
* I will be clean, wash up after myself and pick up my clothes
* I will never lean a mess for others to clean
* I will not fuck up my life, or theirs
* I will never get off at Penn Station!
Five minutes later, he added a clause and signed again:
* I will never get married again, for love or money!
¿What is Penn Station? i know everyone is wondering.
When Brad was a child, and forced to pray, he never understood the words "lead us not into temptation", but thought they were "Lead us not into Penn Station" (which is a train station in New York). It has become an inside joke and a beautiful metafor for all the temptations of alcohol and grass he will face on coming out.
Holly's story
Nothing much to tell, we are visiting the prison everyday and spending the rest of the day running errands for Bradley and lying in the sun. I could get used to this!
Yesterday Maarten has arrived, it is always great to see a friend you love, but this time he has come especially to meet Bradley and talk to him about a movie he wants to make on "aerial smuggler". Bradley is thrilled and flattered!
Natascha and Esteban are invaluable helps. they call lawyers, arrange meetings with people for us, help us to think constructively.
Yesterday we met the family that will receive him when/if he comes out. he needed a place to stay, at least the first few days. Valerio and Patricia, beautiful people, agreed to put him up, this was 6 months ago. he could spend the first few months with him, because as Valerio put it, it´s his political belief that people should help each other. But it turns out that both of them have lost their jobs in the meantime, they are forced to sell their house and move into a much smaller flat, but they are still willing to put him up only they can´t guarantee a full year, or even a few months. they can guarantee him a job, so they will check with the lawyer and the judge if this is ok, that he moves out after a few days. They also wanted to know why he was in jail, we told them very clearly... because he is stupid, told them what he did.
next day we told brad that we were worried about him, and made him sign a contract that he will behave and not be a bother, not run away if it could remotely put Valerio and Patricia in trouble etc.
Yesterday Maarten has arrived, it is always great to see a friend you love, but this time he has come especially to meet Bradley and talk to him about a movie he wants to make on "aerial smuggler". Bradley is thrilled and flattered!
Natascha and Esteban are invaluable helps. they call lawyers, arrange meetings with people for us, help us to think constructively.
Yesterday we met the family that will receive him when/if he comes out. he needed a place to stay, at least the first few days. Valerio and Patricia, beautiful people, agreed to put him up, this was 6 months ago. he could spend the first few months with him, because as Valerio put it, it´s his political belief that people should help each other. But it turns out that both of them have lost their jobs in the meantime, they are forced to sell their house and move into a much smaller flat, but they are still willing to put him up only they can´t guarantee a full year, or even a few months. they can guarantee him a job, so they will check with the lawyer and the judge if this is ok, that he moves out after a few days. They also wanted to know why he was in jail, we told them very clearly... because he is stupid, told them what he did.
next day we told brad that we were worried about him, and made him sign a contract that he will behave and not be a bother, not run away if it could remotely put Valerio and Patricia in trouble etc.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Holly´s story
We have been able to visit him everyday, which is a privilege. Hope our luck keeps up! He gave me a handful of letters to publish on the blog, he is looking good and hopeful and healthy. We laugh and cry and talk, chat with other prisoners and talk some more. It still looks like a beautiful well kept park, prisoners sit outside all day and wait. and wait. and wait.
today something wonderful happened: i had with me a small ubstick, to plug in a computer. On it was a recortding of CJ playing the trumpet. I knew the prisoners had no access to a computer, but ... who knows?
Today during the visit the new director of the prison came to introduce himself to us, a young man with pleasant manners. on a whim, i asked if he had a computer i could use to show the old man his grand son... and he said YES, OF COURSE! so we all ran upstairs to his office, he explained that it is usually not allowed but Bradley hasn´t seen the children for so long...
so we plugged it in, Bradley cried and we all watched CJ on his trumpet... There was no sound, the computer didn´t have a sound system. But the images were perfect, he saw his bow and cried.
Now we are back at the hotel, sitting by the pool.
same tomorrow, same everyday.
everybody, cross your fingers!
today something wonderful happened: i had with me a small ubstick, to plug in a computer. On it was a recortding of CJ playing the trumpet. I knew the prisoners had no access to a computer, but ... who knows?
Today during the visit the new director of the prison came to introduce himself to us, a young man with pleasant manners. on a whim, i asked if he had a computer i could use to show the old man his grand son... and he said YES, OF COURSE! so we all ran upstairs to his office, he explained that it is usually not allowed but Bradley hasn´t seen the children for so long...
so we plugged it in, Bradley cried and we all watched CJ on his trumpet... There was no sound, the computer didn´t have a sound system. But the images were perfect, he saw his bow and cried.
Now we are back at the hotel, sitting by the pool.
same tomorrow, same everyday.
everybody, cross your fingers!
Bradley´s story
march 2008
On numerous evenings, the english speaking prisoners relax and analyze topics, from airplanes to zoology. Tonight´s subject: man´s greatest invention. which invention of the brain plays the biggest part in directing destiny.
Opinions differed, from the wheel, the printing press, the throwing stick, electricity, sailboat, shoes... After a heated debate including the utility, the improvement of standard of life or the point of view, the final determination all agreed upon was the invention of a living god.
I am not talking about the almighty engineer who created a cosmos. we know nothing of this infinite entity with powers that originated macrocosm. bAny answer we can give on this subject are metaphors for what we cannot grasp.
An example is the theoretical Jehovah´s bestowal of the 10 commandements, which the catholic church has altered to promote nordic supremacy. Any portrayal of God or angels are blue-eyed blonds. As a child i asked a priest " are there any black or chinese angels?" >I´ll never forget his answer: " don´t be ridiculous."
So this depiction is the supreme invention of man, and we all agreed.
On numerous evenings, the english speaking prisoners relax and analyze topics, from airplanes to zoology. Tonight´s subject: man´s greatest invention. which invention of the brain plays the biggest part in directing destiny.
Opinions differed, from the wheel, the printing press, the throwing stick, electricity, sailboat, shoes... After a heated debate including the utility, the improvement of standard of life or the point of view, the final determination all agreed upon was the invention of a living god.
I am not talking about the almighty engineer who created a cosmos. we know nothing of this infinite entity with powers that originated macrocosm. bAny answer we can give on this subject are metaphors for what we cannot grasp.
An example is the theoretical Jehovah´s bestowal of the 10 commandements, which the catholic church has altered to promote nordic supremacy. Any portrayal of God or angels are blue-eyed blonds. As a child i asked a priest " are there any black or chinese angels?" >I´ll never forget his answer: " don´t be ridiculous."
So this depiction is the supreme invention of man, and we all agreed.
Bradley's story
march 3rd, 2008
This morning i wnet to court, again. I dressed and shaved carefully, put on my clean white shirt. Arrangements had been made in advance for the interpreter, so i really expected somethinbg to happen. I entered the courtroom with hope and aspirations. An intense looking judge came in, sat down, looked thru all the papers and said " all is in order. Schedule the family where he will live to be in the courtroom on march 24th." a Bang with her gravel, a hard look at me and she got up and left. WAS THAT ALL?
Bewildered i retreated back to the old man´s jailtrying to understand the mystery of the Costa Rican legal system. They could have told me that when i was here in january, it would have been so easy to arrange. I lost 2 months for... nothing.
Now the hardest part. call her, tell someone i love that it is not for today.
I Costa Rica i have learned and absorbed the meaning of love. It is so much more than desire, than yearning or longing. And today i have no choice but to call her and give her the bad news.
She took it well, she did her best to disguise her pain with a few choice comments on the costa rican justice. She attempted to laugh it off, but we both felt despair setting in.
She called me back the next day, to tell me she and her sister had decided to be here at the hearing, on the 24th. I could only cry with relief, with joy at the idea of seeing my daughters again.
Prison love story.
This couple had been married for 37 years. he was 69 years old, she was 65. He strangled her with a knotted rope, and turned himself in. He took 20 years. All he talks about is his relief that he will never ever hear that woman´s voice again. Till death do us part!
This morning i wnet to court, again. I dressed and shaved carefully, put on my clean white shirt. Arrangements had been made in advance for the interpreter, so i really expected somethinbg to happen. I entered the courtroom with hope and aspirations. An intense looking judge came in, sat down, looked thru all the papers and said " all is in order. Schedule the family where he will live to be in the courtroom on march 24th." a Bang with her gravel, a hard look at me and she got up and left. WAS THAT ALL?
Bewildered i retreated back to the old man´s jailtrying to understand the mystery of the Costa Rican legal system. They could have told me that when i was here in january, it would have been so easy to arrange. I lost 2 months for... nothing.
Now the hardest part. call her, tell someone i love that it is not for today.
I Costa Rica i have learned and absorbed the meaning of love. It is so much more than desire, than yearning or longing. And today i have no choice but to call her and give her the bad news.
She took it well, she did her best to disguise her pain with a few choice comments on the costa rican justice. She attempted to laugh it off, but we both felt despair setting in.
She called me back the next day, to tell me she and her sister had decided to be here at the hearing, on the 24th. I could only cry with relief, with joy at the idea of seeing my daughters again.
Prison love story.
This couple had been married for 37 years. he was 69 years old, she was 65. He strangled her with a knotted rope, and turned himself in. He took 20 years. All he talks about is his relief that he will never ever hear that woman´s voice again. Till death do us part!
Bradley´s story.
februari, 2008
Today i watched 2 old men, each with one foot in the grave, attempt a ferocious fist fight. Their antics would be laughable, were it not for the ferocious savage faces. they used senile fists to strike, their arms and knees refused to perform. After a desperate swing one of the old farts clutched his chest, turned red in the face and started to breathe heavily. The other landed a fist to his face, and he collapsed. The guards stepped in to pull them apart.
then we had a delicious bean feast. everyday, beans and more beans, beans on rice and on bread, but this time they tasted like real Boston baked beans.
The food here is delicious, they really try in Costa Rica to feed their prisoners well, lots of fresh vegetables and chicken, and always the fresh black beans. But today they were especially good.
Incarceration causes mental changes, after the shock of the gate locking, you get into a kind of stupor. privacy, quality, individuality and personality all disappear. A conscious decision must be made, either to conform or to strike back at the system, at your own risk. You must resolve this conflict, this enforced repose. and the cerebral doldrum begins. Intellectual indifference sets in and will remain until something breaks the monotonous routine. Like Boston Baked Beans.
Define contentment! Imagine pleasure, tranquillity, inner peace, blend in a clean bill of health and you are very close.
Liberty has many sides which are only appreciated when they are lost.
* I miss an intelligent conversation with someone, anyone
* i despise sharing a bathroom with anyone
* i need to control my destiny
* i would like to come and go as i please
And... i would love some soft fried scrambled eggs with home made fried potatoes, and a large glass of watermelon juice blended with just one garlic clove...
Today i watched 2 old men, each with one foot in the grave, attempt a ferocious fist fight. Their antics would be laughable, were it not for the ferocious savage faces. they used senile fists to strike, their arms and knees refused to perform. After a desperate swing one of the old farts clutched his chest, turned red in the face and started to breathe heavily. The other landed a fist to his face, and he collapsed. The guards stepped in to pull them apart.
then we had a delicious bean feast. everyday, beans and more beans, beans on rice and on bread, but this time they tasted like real Boston baked beans.
The food here is delicious, they really try in Costa Rica to feed their prisoners well, lots of fresh vegetables and chicken, and always the fresh black beans. But today they were especially good.
Incarceration causes mental changes, after the shock of the gate locking, you get into a kind of stupor. privacy, quality, individuality and personality all disappear. A conscious decision must be made, either to conform or to strike back at the system, at your own risk. You must resolve this conflict, this enforced repose. and the cerebral doldrum begins. Intellectual indifference sets in and will remain until something breaks the monotonous routine. Like Boston Baked Beans.
Define contentment! Imagine pleasure, tranquillity, inner peace, blend in a clean bill of health and you are very close.
Liberty has many sides which are only appreciated when they are lost.
* I miss an intelligent conversation with someone, anyone
* i despise sharing a bathroom with anyone
* i need to control my destiny
* i would like to come and go as i please
And... i would love some soft fried scrambled eggs with home made fried potatoes, and a large glass of watermelon juice blended with just one garlic clove...
Bradley´s story
january 29, 2008
Went to court this morning. they told me last night of the long awaited appearance day. I showered, shaved, laid out my courtroom wardrobe, then got to bed knowing sleep would never come. I rehearsed my speech, contritely denoucing my stupidity in believing i could get around an effective system, that was specially made for imbeciles like me. I have lost everything. How could i have been so blind? and suddenly it was morning, i faced the day with hope, and a bit of arrogance.
After breakfast i entered the police van WITHOUT HANDCUFFS! this was a good sign. we picked up other prisomers along the way, one was wearing hand and leg restraints. His unfocused eyes told a story of drugs, and a serious conflict with reality. It has been a long time since i smoked a joint, but i wondered... did i ever look like that?
The courtroom was like a sleepy large legal office, which came to life when i entered. My attorney opened the proceedings explaining the need for an interpreter. The female judge picked up a phone and spoke to someone. and the judge said there was no interpreter available, the assembly is adjourned, see you next time. SHIT, i came this close...
During the return trip to Adulto Mayor i tried to stay hopeful and keep my positive attitude. when is the next court date? and when i got back inside i saw this was the day chosen to spray for roaches. Everything i owned was under a cloud of fog. It is still a beautiful day, whatever happens.
Went to court this morning. they told me last night of the long awaited appearance day. I showered, shaved, laid out my courtroom wardrobe, then got to bed knowing sleep would never come. I rehearsed my speech, contritely denoucing my stupidity in believing i could get around an effective system, that was specially made for imbeciles like me. I have lost everything. How could i have been so blind? and suddenly it was morning, i faced the day with hope, and a bit of arrogance.
After breakfast i entered the police van WITHOUT HANDCUFFS! this was a good sign. we picked up other prisomers along the way, one was wearing hand and leg restraints. His unfocused eyes told a story of drugs, and a serious conflict with reality. It has been a long time since i smoked a joint, but i wondered... did i ever look like that?
The courtroom was like a sleepy large legal office, which came to life when i entered. My attorney opened the proceedings explaining the need for an interpreter. The female judge picked up a phone and spoke to someone. and the judge said there was no interpreter available, the assembly is adjourned, see you next time. SHIT, i came this close...
During the return trip to Adulto Mayor i tried to stay hopeful and keep my positive attitude. when is the next court date? and when i got back inside i saw this was the day chosen to spray for roaches. Everything i owned was under a cloud of fog. It is still a beautiful day, whatever happens.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Holly's story
Guess o guess...
He is having a new parole hearing on the 24th of march. the judge wishes to speak to the people who are offering him a job and a place to stay. So... here goes, Linda and i are once again packing our suitcases, to go visit him and make a big show of filial affection and love... I want to show the judge we want him back now, and i hope he/she listens. Costa Rica, we are coming back!
He is having a new parole hearing on the 24th of march. the judge wishes to speak to the people who are offering him a job and a place to stay. So... here goes, Linda and i are once again packing our suitcases, to go visit him and make a big show of filial affection and love... I want to show the judge we want him back now, and i hope he/she listens. Costa Rica, we are coming back!
Monday, March 3, 2008
this could be IT! Holly's story
Looks like something is happening. He himself is invited to the parole board tomorrow, and they will decide his fate. he remembered to invite an interpret, he notified the embassy, washed his white shirt...
he has 3 job offerings: one is looking after the horses at a fancy hotel, one is teaching english, one is selling real estate. I advised him to go for the horses.
actually in Costa Rica you never know, they might even just let him go he says... We won't even think of that possibility, we agreed he shouldn't even pack his bag. just wait and see!
everybody cross your fingers...
he has 3 job offerings: one is looking after the horses at a fancy hotel, one is teaching english, one is selling real estate. I advised him to go for the horses.
actually in Costa Rica you never know, they might even just let him go he says... We won't even think of that possibility, we agreed he shouldn't even pack his bag. just wait and see!
everybody cross your fingers...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Holly's story
No news, good news?
Trying to call the lawyers, trying to mail them, no answer. What the hell is going on? he was called before the judge, there was no interpret, so he is put at the back of the line? what is this?
we are getting doscouraged.
Thankfully there are a few people who will go visit him soon, that means so much.
the address is La Reforma Adulto Mayor, the city is San Rafael Ojo de Agua, right near San Jose. that is all i have at this moment.
he just called, still waiting.
Trying to call the lawyers, trying to mail them, no answer. What the hell is going on? he was called before the judge, there was no interpret, so he is put at the back of the line? what is this?
we are getting doscouraged.
Thankfully there are a few people who will go visit him soon, that means so much.
the address is La Reforma Adulto Mayor, the city is San Rafael Ojo de Agua, right near San Jose. that is all i have at this moment.
he just called, still waiting.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
holly's story
rumors, whispers...
we are going crazy, anticipation is a terrible feeling. we have been let down so often. Brad went to put his name down to give a new english class, it was turned down! he isn't allowed to teach english this month "because you'll be out of here so fast!". WHAT?
anyway of course we do not believe it this time, it is a lie to keep him happy and quiet, to keep up the illusion that something is happening! we'll see what happens.
what's newin costa rica? actually, little things happen all the time, people leave, people come back, people are carried off to " the bad place" down the hill. that is the ordinary prison, with hundreds of people around, no sitting outside except on sunday and so on. Where brad is, it looks like an old people's home, flowers and trees and lots of places to sit in the shade.
Waiting for the results of the Valentine's day peotry contest, i do so hope he wins something, just to keep up the spirit.
kiss to all
holly
we are going crazy, anticipation is a terrible feeling. we have been let down so often. Brad went to put his name down to give a new english class, it was turned down! he isn't allowed to teach english this month "because you'll be out of here so fast!". WHAT?
anyway of course we do not believe it this time, it is a lie to keep him happy and quiet, to keep up the illusion that something is happening! we'll see what happens.
what's newin costa rica? actually, little things happen all the time, people leave, people come back, people are carried off to " the bad place" down the hill. that is the ordinary prison, with hundreds of people around, no sitting outside except on sunday and so on. Where brad is, it looks like an old people's home, flowers and trees and lots of places to sit in the shade.
Waiting for the results of the Valentine's day peotry contest, i do so hope he wins something, just to keep up the spirit.
kiss to all
holly
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
holly's story
This is his contribution to the Valentine's day contest in San Pedro. I hope and beg, let him win! it would mean so much to him to get this recognition while in jail.
he thinks of his wife a lot, he feels he let her down. He didn't. let me say it once clearly: what he did was for her, to provide her with a better life, to get her the things she wanted and needed, the air conditionning and the fancy bathroom like the one she used to have in New York.
we are still phoning a few times a week, he tells me all the news. Many prisoners are brought back by their family once released, hard to believe but true, the families don't want them and drop them at the door of the prison.
at this moment there is a transexual lady in jail, fascinating.
Brad found a cat! a little lost thing that wandered in and sleeps with him. i am so happy, he needs something to love.
he is writing about the popes again, will write a sample this evening.
greetings from Utrecht and from Costa Rica.
love to all
he thinks of his wife a lot, he feels he let her down. He didn't. let me say it once clearly: what he did was for her, to provide her with a better life, to get her the things she wanted and needed, the air conditionning and the fancy bathroom like the one she used to have in New York.
we are still phoning a few times a week, he tells me all the news. Many prisoners are brought back by their family once released, hard to believe but true, the families don't want them and drop them at the door of the prison.
at this moment there is a transexual lady in jail, fascinating.
Brad found a cat! a little lost thing that wandered in and sleeps with him. i am so happy, he needs something to love.
he is writing about the popes again, will write a sample this evening.
greetings from Utrecht and from Costa Rica.
love to all
brad's story
To my beloved wife, Marie Haylock
Happily married 45 years
My vital spark for many cheers
Always laughing and carefree
That’s how i remember my Marie.
The effervescence of her smile
Personality, so versatile
I thought our love would always be
Now it is just a memory.
Bewitching with her constant charm
Pleasant days without alarm
Times of constant reverie
That’s how i think of my Marie.
Farewell until we meet once more
Far away on that eternal shore
Now life is just an aftershock
I grieve and mourn Marie Haylock.
Happily married 45 years
My vital spark for many cheers
Always laughing and carefree
That’s how i remember my Marie.
The effervescence of her smile
Personality, so versatile
I thought our love would always be
Now it is just a memory.
Bewitching with her constant charm
Pleasant days without alarm
Times of constant reverie
That’s how i think of my Marie.
Farewell until we meet once more
Far away on that eternal shore
Now life is just an aftershock
I grieve and mourn Marie Haylock.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
brad's story
Julio, a feeble, haggard, legally blind old man arrived yesterday, straight from the hospital. No family, no friends, no finances. He's spent the last five years in jil for rape, has 20 more to go, but prison authorities don't want to keep him or his Colostomy bag. Neither does anyone else. He is a recluse, he sits on his bed and either cries, sings evangelical songs or hallucinates a girl is chasing him around a shower curtain, then he gets angry when she catches him. People care for him with a kindness rarely seen or imagined in a prison, how long will this profound tenderness continue? i'll let you know, IF i stay in Adukto Mayor!
here goes!
I haven't written in a while, i guess i got discouraged, nothing new to tell, nothing is happening. he has reached medio pena, should be elligible for parole, and Nada. we call about twice a week, he is hopeful and sends love and greetings to everyone.
just received a few letters, will publish them today i promise.
just received a few letters, will publish them today i promise.
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