Real Concepts Magazine - Bilingual Dec2016
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HUGSOFANANGEL<br />
ByChristineAlen<br />
O<br />
neofmyfavoritepicturesofmyfamilywasaroundthehospitalbedofNorthshoreMedical<br />
Center.OfcourseitwasajoyousoccasiongivenitwasthedayofmybirthonahotMiami<br />
ChristmasafternoonanditwouldalsobeoneofthefewtimesthatIwouldspendwithmyfather<br />
outsideofprisonwals.From theageof2,mytimewithmydadwouldbefiledwithclearance<br />
checkpoints,longlines,frustratingbodysearches,anda3-hourwindowoflaughter,tears,and<br />
questions.Questionsofwhywasheincarcerated?WhydidIhavetosithereinaprisonyard?Does<br />
herealyloveme?Isthisrealyworthit?However,bythetimeIcouldgaintheconfidencetoask<br />
theselingeringquestionsthewords“TIME’SUP”wouldbeyeledbyaboisterousCorections<br />
OficerthroughoutthecourtyardandIwouldberushedtotheoutsidegatesoftheprison,once<br />
againshutingmydadoutofmylifeuntilthenextvisit.Thisprocesswouldseem tohurtmoreand<br />
morewitheveryvisitationlikeabandagebeingrippedfrom ascathingwound,untilindiference<br />
andresentment,becametheonlywayIcouldprotectmyselffrom thisviciouscycleofhurt.<br />
Throughout my childhood and<br />
adolescence,thevoidofmyfather’s<br />
absencewasfiledwiththeloveand<br />
carethatmymotherprovided.Even<br />
though Ihad an older brother,<br />
becauseofourtenyearagegapand<br />
someofthepoordecisionsthathe<br />
madeearlyon,mostofthetimeit<br />
wouldjustbeher,mygrandmother,<br />
andI.EverymorningIwouldwakeup<br />
to the smelofa hot southern<br />
breakfast,afterschoolmyfavorite<br />
griled cheese sandwich with the<br />
edgescutofwouldbewaiting,and<br />
atnightIwould hop in bed and<br />
snuggleuprightundermymom and<br />
becomfortedbythemerefactthat<br />
she was there. I was fortunate<br />
enoughtobeapartofarealylarge<br />
familythatwould takefamilytrips<br />
everyyeartothespelbindingtheme<br />
parks in Orlando orthe exciting<br />
mountainsand hilsofGeorgia.I<br />
looked forward to choosing which<br />
rideIwouldtakewithmycousinsor<br />
enjoy the beautifulwatersofthe<br />
hotelpool!<br />
ChristineAlen,KevenAlen,BeatriceYoung(Mother-in-law),<br />
BrandonLegget(brotherinlaw),K.D.Alen(sisterinlaw).
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