This year, students responded to the prompt below. Some wrote an as-told-to account in the voice of the person they interviewed. Others wrote it from their own perspective.
"Choose someone you love, respect, or are just interested in learning more about, and ask him or her to tell you a story. Specifically, your question for them is this: Tell me about a moment when a place made a big impression on you, when it did something to shape the person you are today."
By Trinity James
When you was a few months old, I got laid off from my job and started to sell drugs to make ends meet. I sold drugs because I was low on money during this time. I had to hustle to take care of you and your mom. I did this when I was younger, but I never got arrested for it. It’s like having an addiction, feeling like you can do anything and get away with it. I loved making fast money and having control over others. Your grandmother told me that hustling was going to eventually send me to prison, and it isn’t fair to your mother not knowing about me selling drugs. I told your mother about it, and she felt that it was best to keep you and her away from me for your safety. Gosh, I missed you all, but I was concentrating on getting “that money.” I started to make a lot of money! I was obsessed with my job.
Unfortunately, I got caught and had to pay the price. I was in jail for a few months and eventually ended up going to prison for some years. While I was in jail, I used to write letters to you, your mother, my family and friends. Your mother showed me pictures and videos of you. Having the eyes of an angel, you was the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen. I missed your first words. I missed your first steps. Also, I missed your smile. I used to think what it was like if I only had listened to my mother and stopped my hustling ways. I will not take my freedom for granted anymore! Life in prison is different than being home. Getting up when told. Going to sleep when told and following the directions of the correctional officers then making sure that you are safe from other inmates trying to hurt or kill you! Good news! It’s time to be released. Going home tomorrow. I’m not going to miss this place.
I’m now able to see how you have grow into a beautiful young lady. I missed you and your mother so much. Being away from your loved ones teaches you to appreciate the time we have together--that it’s special, to cherish it. I apologize for anything I’ve done to you in the past, and I promise not to leave you again. It’s truly a blessing to get up in the morning go to work and see that pretty smile on your face when you come in from school, knowing that I’ve been the best person I could have been today.
"Choose someone you love, respect, or are just interested in learning more about, and ask him or her to tell you a story. Specifically, your question for them is this: Tell me about a moment when a place made a big impression on you, when it did something to shape the person you are today."
By Trinity James
When you was a few months old, I got laid off from my job and started to sell drugs to make ends meet. I sold drugs because I was low on money during this time. I had to hustle to take care of you and your mom. I did this when I was younger, but I never got arrested for it. It’s like having an addiction, feeling like you can do anything and get away with it. I loved making fast money and having control over others. Your grandmother told me that hustling was going to eventually send me to prison, and it isn’t fair to your mother not knowing about me selling drugs. I told your mother about it, and she felt that it was best to keep you and her away from me for your safety. Gosh, I missed you all, but I was concentrating on getting “that money.” I started to make a lot of money! I was obsessed with my job.
Unfortunately, I got caught and had to pay the price. I was in jail for a few months and eventually ended up going to prison for some years. While I was in jail, I used to write letters to you, your mother, my family and friends. Your mother showed me pictures and videos of you. Having the eyes of an angel, you was the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen. I missed your first words. I missed your first steps. Also, I missed your smile. I used to think what it was like if I only had listened to my mother and stopped my hustling ways. I will not take my freedom for granted anymore! Life in prison is different than being home. Getting up when told. Going to sleep when told and following the directions of the correctional officers then making sure that you are safe from other inmates trying to hurt or kill you! Good news! It’s time to be released. Going home tomorrow. I’m not going to miss this place.
I’m now able to see how you have grow into a beautiful young lady. I missed you and your mother so much. Being away from your loved ones teaches you to appreciate the time we have together--that it’s special, to cherish it. I apologize for anything I’ve done to you in the past, and I promise not to leave you again. It’s truly a blessing to get up in the morning go to work and see that pretty smile on your face when you come in from school, knowing that I’ve been the best person I could have been today.
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