Dear Readers,
First and foremost I would like to thank those who took the time out to read my letter and show support. I greatly appreciate it. My mother has been incarcerated for the last twenty-three years of my life, and I feel that I have been as well. The memories that I’ve shared with my mother Mona Graves have all been while she’s been incarcerated. My memories began at the age of five years old possibly younger. The one thing that I remember was how much of loving and caring women my mother was and still is. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the child were my mother was able to tuck me into bed and read me a bedtime story. However, I was lucky enough to have my mother read to me as a child when I went on visits. Another great thought I could recall was the smile that my mother had on her face when I ran into the visiting room. I can’t describe the feelings that rushed through my body every time I seen my mother waiting at the visiting table. At the end of the visit tears ran down my face, as I looked back all I can remember was my mother crying and blowing me kisses goodbye. Still till this very day she remains doing the same.
My mother has such an immense love for children. During her time at Bedford hills correctional facility everything was dedicated to making “our lives” better. I say “our” as in all the children with incarcerated mothers.
When I was at a young age I didn’t understand what the situation was and why I had to go to this place to see her. As I grew older I became more aware of the situation my mother was in as well as my feelings. Some of the things in my childhood that effected me the most is seeing other kids my age be picked up by their parents from school, while I walked home alone. One event that I will never forget was my sixth grade graduation. All the other kids had their mothers present while all I had my cousins there for me. Not that I wasn’t grateful for having them there but the fact that my mother wasn’t there to celebrate my achievement along with me hurt me greatly.
I was very fortunate to have my grandparents, family, and friends who were always there for me. However, nothing can fill the empty void of not having my mother there. Throughout the years my mothers relationship and I grew greater and closer. Despite the fact my mother has been in prison for so many years she remains a wonderful, positive and loving person. There is no denying that my life has been difficult. However, I can turn to my mother for any problem or situation that I have faced. No one else could have guided me through all the ups and downs of my life with such wisdom and love.
I am so very grateful to have a mother who was able to give me guidance, discipline, moral support, and mostly love, despite her situation. Everyone who was fortunate enough to meet my mother was touched in several ways. She is the most compassionate person others and I know. I wouldn’t have made it so far if it weren’t for her, as well as she says if it weren’t for her children she wouldn’t of had stuck it out this far. She gives so much to me as well as the world.
God surely knew what he was doing when he gave me her for a mother. I pray that the governor grants my mother’s clemency. I feel that my mother has paid her dues to society and deserves a second chance at life. I could only imagine what life would be if she were right beside me…wonderful I’m sure.
Sincerely yours,
Justin Graves
