I came across this post on Dear Abby today:
Two failed marriages and several relationships with good women are over because of my determination to follow an unhealthy dream, not to mention all the friends I have lost as well.
Now as I look around me, there's no one there. No one to love and no one to love me. I never knew until now that chasing that dream would cost me everyone I ever loved.
I know I have made bad choices in life. I deserve the time for the crime I committed. But am I also sentenced to a world of loneliness? Can I ever be loved again and be happy after all the wrong I have done? Is there someone out there who would be willing to give me a chance? Is it too late to start over?
Like Martin Luther, I have a dream. I have a dream where people are not judged for the rest of their lives by the bad mistakes they have made. They get to do their time and move on. I have a dream where doors are opened and not closed to them. Where they can live where they want to, be with whomevever they want to, and get a job where they are qualified.
But our society is harsh and unforgiving. Who of us hasn't made a mistake and wish he could take it back? Who of us doesn't wish we could make amends if we've hurt someone?
We have no right to withhold life from someone who has broken the law. People deserve second changes. And people shouldn't have to write letters like this to Dear Abby because society is so harsh. Wake up! Look in the mirror. He who is without sin can cast the first stone.
DEAR ABBY: I'm a 50-year-old man who is serving time for robbery in West Virginia. Every day I wake up acting as if I am in control and don't have a care in the world. The truth is, I'm scared, lonely and feel totally helpless. All my life I have lived on the dark side of the street, taking for granted the values in life and the love so many people tried to give me.
Two failed marriages and several relationships with good women are over because of my determination to follow an unhealthy dream, not to mention all the friends I have lost as well.
Now as I look around me, there's no one there. No one to love and no one to love me. I never knew until now that chasing that dream would cost me everyone I ever loved.
I know I have made bad choices in life. I deserve the time for the crime I committed. But am I also sentenced to a world of loneliness? Can I ever be loved again and be happy after all the wrong I have done? Is there someone out there who would be willing to give me a chance? Is it too late to start over?
Like Martin Luther, I have a dream. I have a dream where people are not judged for the rest of their lives by the bad mistakes they have made. They get to do their time and move on. I have a dream where doors are opened and not closed to them. Where they can live where they want to, be with whomevever they want to, and get a job where they are qualified.
But our society is harsh and unforgiving. Who of us hasn't made a mistake and wish he could take it back? Who of us doesn't wish we could make amends if we've hurt someone?
We have no right to withhold life from someone who has broken the law. People deserve second changes. And people shouldn't have to write letters like this to Dear Abby because society is so harsh. Wake up! Look in the mirror. He who is without sin can cast the first stone.
