My Summer With the Felons

Pretty much everyone at the place I work has a felon or two tucked under her belt.  To these girls, I am the epitome of "good girl."  I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and my boyfriend has never been to jail.  But, despite our polar differences, we have all become close and formed friendships across the social lines. 

Even though these women have been labeled by the elite of society as hardened criminals, I have a lot to learn from them.  Tough as nails, they perpetually fight against the odds.  Life has dealt her cards, and they put on their poker faces and play the hand they got.

I've realized how unusually blessed I am.  I was raised in a happy, loving, intact family.  I've been gifted a chance at a superb education.  All my basic needs and more are provided for me.  But it isn't always the case.  P dropped out of highschool her junior year because she was bored in the public school system.  J was kicked out of her house by her dad when she was 16.  A spent her teenage years feeding her drug addiction. 

However, despite their rough lives and the sentences each of them received from a judge, each of them is full of inspiration and hope which I can only hope to achieve.  J wants to join the peace corps after she serves her time on house arrest.  She dreams of going to Africa and opening free clinics for those in even more unfortunate circumstances than her.  A is buoyantly joyful because for the first time in years, she is addiction free and enjoying life as she ought.  She is so proud that she has been clean for 11 months.  Now, instead of getting high, stoned, and whatnot, she enjoys going on hikes with her boyfriend and going to museums, believe it or not.  P has overcome her alcoholism for the sake of her unborn baby; the baby her mom urged her to abort.  She is now 3 months pregnant and enthusiastically picking out names.  

Becoming so close to these women has really taught me that despite their rough edges, they still have hopes and dreams, they are still searching to love and be loved, and they will always stand up for those close to them, just like me.  I've learned to look beyond the social strata this summer, my summer with the felons.