In Memoriam

Last weekend, one of my fellow tutors father passed away.  EC learned of his father’s death last Sunday afternoon when he was called to the watch commander’s office.  His death was not unexpected.  EC’s father had battled pancreatic cancer for months.  Over Memorial Day he was placed in hospice care, his weight at that point below 80 pounds.

EC is back on a probation violation.  Ironically, he served a twelve year sentence for armed robbery in the 1990’s with the sons of the sheriff in my former hometown.  EC was released in 2008.  In 2009, he had a “dirty urine”, i.e. he had been smoking marijuana.  The judge sent him back to prison for four more years.

EC was not allowed to go to his father’s funeral.  That decision – shackled and under officer escort (paid for by the family) - is up to the warden’s “discretion”.

For all the “law and order” types that say “there’s consequences to breaking the law”, what about this “law”:  love your neighbor as yourself.  Imagine missing your own parent’s funeral and maybe, say a prayer for EC.