Greetings from the Abyss by Jack (Part 5)


Jack is serving life without parole. Throughout my incarceration, Jack was a constant positive influence. He encouraged me to keep writing, to enter short-story competitions, and we proofread each other’s work. 

Hello my friend, it’s been too long since I wrote. In my defense, I’ve been in and out of the hospital for the last two years. I became extremely sick and collapsed on the road outside of my housing unit. I had to be flown to the hospital. It was touch and go for a few days. I was in ICU for a week and then another week in recovery. I had 23 blood transfusions before I stabilized. Turns out that I have advance stage cancer, small lymphocytic lymphoma, stage IVb. Basically, that means I’m near the end, at least that’s what the oncologist says. I think I’ll fool him and live a while longer. 

Congratulations on Hard Time. I enjoyed it, and am quite pleased it is doing so well. I look forward to your next book, and the next and the next… I always knew that you would do well. Your acknowledgement in Hard Time was very generous and appreciated. I haven’t written anything for a while now. I collected a fair amount of rejection letters before throwing in the towel. The logistics of writing in here has become onerous. I have few, if any, real possibilities of having my poor writing transcribed into anything legible. I realize this is just another excuse, but it has become easy to accept, and I have done so. 

Shaun, thank you for everything you have done for me, and those of us who are still incarcerated. You have gone above and beyond to bring a ray of hope and normalcy to our lives. Take care of yourself and continued success in whatever you undertake.

Best wishes always,

Jack 


Shaun Attwood

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work, i will alway pray for u.

Ahalonu





Anonymous said...

Yet again you are making people so proud of you. Keep it going. Ps hurry up I need a good book to read lol

Sarah x

Anonymous said...

Hello, Jack. I am very sorry to hear that you have cancer in an advanced stage. However, I admire your desire to live, regardless of what the doctors are telling you. Keep thinking positively about your situation. You'll see that it will make a huge difference. From all accounts, it seems that Shaun Attwood was well liked and respected by the other inmates during his incarceration. I can tell you that Shaun works endlessly to do right by the inmates he met, and all those who are incarcerated in general. Ask Shaun to tell you about the TV show that he will be on! It's called, "Locked Up Abroad". It's Shaun's story to tell, of course, but make sure to ask him about it. Don't worry so much about the rejection slips you've received for your writing, Jack. Approval from others does not make one a writer. Financial success does not make one a writer. A writer, in the end, is simply one who writes, regardless of the results. And by that definition, you are a writer. If you ever feel that your efforts to do positive things are in vain, remember that everything that each human being does, in some way, has an effect on the universe. Have you heard of Danny Trejo? He's a well known movie and television star. He spent a total of 11 years incarcerated in prisons in California when he was younger. He managed to turn his life around completely and now has a successful film and television career. He has a very inspiring quote: "It is better to shoot for the moon and miss, than aim for the gutter and make it." Be all that you can be. That is the essence of living. Looking forward to your next letter that Shaun posts. May God bless you.
-Azar

Jon said...

Well put, Azar. Jack will enjoy reading your comment.