Standouts - The Beat Within

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Page 55
Christmas
I always forget what Christmas is really about. I think it’s about
presents, food, family, and stuff like that. But in all reality it’s
about the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though it sucks really bad,
but it doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate Jesus birthday just as well as
everyone else. And that’s kinda what gets me through these harsh
holidays in jail.
Although I miss my family greatly, I miss freedom even more.
But my Lord does have a plan for me, and that is what makes it
possible to wake every morning. The first few weeks I was in here, I
had no hope. I thought my life was coming to an end, crashing down
on me. Exactly sixteen days went passed with a deep depression,
and on that sixteenth day, I decided to go to a Bible study. And that’s
what I needed to get through these horrible times.
I forgot why I’m on this earth and everything happens for a
reason. “For I know my plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) That verse gets me through the day and
makes life possible.
-Evan
From The Beat: We agree with you, it can be so easy to get caught up
in what seems fun and forget about the true meaning. Thank you for
bringing us back with you. We are so glad you are in a better place in
your heart!
New Year’s Resolution
My new year’s resolution is to change my ways. I’m going to stop
doing all the things that I’ve done, like get arrested by the cops or
mess up in court and with my PO.
The most is that I’m going to be a good role model to my two
younger brothers and teach them to go the right way, not the way I
chose. I need to show my mom that I really care and respect her by
not getting her mad and stress because of all the bad things I’ve put
her through, and also my entire family
-Leovardo
From The Beat: We here at The Beat are happy to hear that you want
to change your ways for your younger brothers and your mom as well
as your family. Do you want to change your ways for yourself too?
We hope that you can keep up with this New Year’s resolution, always
remember change starts with you.
Candy
I like Snickers because I grew up with my whole family eating them
instead of other candies. It’s the best candy bar and is even better
when you eat it upside down so you taste the caramel first. I had
this candy last on Halloween. I had a king-size regular and fun size
snickers all upside down. By upside down I mean the candy bar not
yourself.
-Bryan
From The Beat: At first we here at The Beat thought you were talking
about standing on your head and eating the snickers till we got to the
bottom of your writing. Well we can’t wait to try this piece of candy.
Thank you for sharing this piece of candy with us.
One Photo
If I was to go on a journey for a long time, it would definitely be the
picture of me and my mom when I was, like, fourteen. It was the last
picture taken of my mom before she died and she looked absolutely
beautiful.
Although it is really hard to look at, when I’m feeling down, it
helps a lot to look at. It helps me to remember that I’m going to a
better place.
-Evan
From The Beat: Your writing is very powerful and it sounds like your
mom was an amazing person. Do you have any special memories of
things you and your mom did together?
Standouts Portland, Oregon Volume 17.01/02
Favorite Holiday Dish
My favorite holiday dish is, without a doubt, a Thanksgiving meal.
I could eat turkey, corn, stuffing and potatoes every night. I always
make sure my family, every year, makes extra so I can have leftovers
for the next week. I make sure I don’t eat all day until the main meal.
I love it and it is my favorite.
-Kolby
From The Beat: We agree with you. A Thanksgiving meal is definitely a
treat to our mouths! Even the leftovers are tasty. Hope you enjoy your
meals everyday and have a good appetite!
Risk
A day when I took a risk would be when I was playing cards. I was
with my basketball team in Reno, Nevada. We were playing a card
game called twenty one. I kept losing money so finally I got to my
last fifty dollars. My friend asked me if I wanted to bet my last fifty.
I thought about it for about ten minutes then finally I said yes. So
we started playing and in the end I won. I was very happy because I
won all my money back.
After I won I decided to quit because I didn’t want to lose any
more of my money. If I ever had the chance to do it again, I wouldn’t
because I could have lost all of my money.
-Demetrius
From The Beat: We are so glad to hear you won at last. Yeah! You are
right, it would be horrible if you had lost all your money. However, it
is also a good thing because it teaches you a lesson. Think before you
act in the future, and try your best to avoid making wrong choices.
The sting of regret is painful, right? We believe you can do better in
the future!
Missing
Now that I’m locked up it’s the small things I miss the most. There’s
many people I miss but one person I miss the most is my girlfriend,
I don’t even get to see her. Today we are one year and three months.
I spend it alone in my cell and she spends it alone at home. It’s been
a month since we have seen each other. Lonely nights in my cell,
memories is all I have left.
The first time she will be able to see me is at court and in
shackles. My ol’ lady is taking it harder than I am; it’s hard trying
to be happy when I know I won’t be seeing her for about six years. I
pray for her also, every chance that I get. She sends me her letters
and religious belongings that she has blessed, praying that I’m safe.
It’s going to be a while before I can see her again, and it’s hard
doing my time when she’s always on my mind. I always tell her I’ll
be home knowing it won’t be for years. But I know she’ll wait for me
because she always has.
-Louie
From The Beat: What a milestone in a relationship, keep sending
those letters to each other, we think it helps you remain focused. A
bittersweet day your court date will be, stay strong.
New Beginning
I feel as if I have been given a new beginning for life. I was looking
at two charges both adding up to about thirteen to fourteen years.
I found out that I’m getting the worst charge dropped and now I’m
only facing five years and ten months. To know I’m getting that
much time taken off my sentence I feel so blessed because I’ll only
be twenty one when I get out.
I still won’t be able to graduate high school and that’s all my
mom wanted to see because it’s a big deal to her. The only way she
will see me get my diploma is in jail.
-Louie
From The Beat: It sounds like you are truly blessed for what you had
gotten. Keep your head up and tell your mom that you still get to get
your diploma. It’s just not at a High School, and also if you want to go
to College that could make her even more proud. Keep up the good
work and we hope you continue your education after High School.