I'm good at talking to people. I'm good with words and I'm good at being a prisoner's wife (go figure)...and a niche is born.
My husband is incarcerated for the better part of a decade. I've come too far in my journey to lie about this for yet another day. So, instead of lying about it, I decided to tell the world about it because it is a part of who I am and it helps to create sense of community among people like me.
Without a voice or personality representing prisoners' wives, girlfriends, and partners, the public at large is resigned to collectively classify us as neurotic, low class, unsophisticated dregs of humanity, when in fact, collectively, we are anything but.
Our society goes a long way to sensationalize the prison culture. Contrary to public belief, we are not hanging on at the gates of the prison waiting for serial killers. We are individuals who may have had a partner leave the home and have decided to embody the true meaning of commitment. We are individuals who believe in the power of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances--individuals who have not and will not relinquish our right to love.
Because of intense scrutiny, prisoners' wives, girlfriends, and partners are not visible. Either hiding behind their own shame or have allowed others to cover them. It is my goal to use my individual voice to inspire partners to embrace their lives despite their partner's location and to tell the world who we are--collectively.
Life gave me lemons and I made lemonade. Hang out with me and have a nice tall glass. :)