Home for the holidays was something I imagined and fantasized about for the past eighteen years living in prison. While many of my incarcerated brothers treated it like any other day, I chose to make the best of it and, like a good host, made sure we all had a little something to be thankful for (even if it was just prison-style pie!).  

After all those years in prison, I finally got to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family. This year, I was able to host a Thanksgiving dinner that was beautiful and emotional for all of us. I enjoyed helping to prepare the ham, turkey, stuffing and real pie. The smells, the colors, the sounds, and the tastes were ones I had not experienced since I was a child. Although standing in long lines at the grocery store reminded me (ironically) of canteen lines in prison, being able to drive to the market to shop with my wife and kids seemed like the ultimate freedom.  

I am forever thankful to ARC for giving me opportunities to give back. As my family said grace before our meal, I stood at the table and thought about all my brothers I couldn’t be with this year. While I suspect I will remember this Thanksgiving forever, I know that I will never forget the many who are still fighting to achieve freedom and be home for the holidays.