Losing a Loved One Behind Bars

What's more difficult than losing a loved one? Losing a loved one behind bars.

I remember when my grandfather died a little over 10 years ago. I was in San Quentin. I felt sad because I didn't get an opportunity to know him as an adult. I wasn't devastated because we had never had a chance to become close. On the day of his funeral, I was able to get three incense sticks from a Protestant chaplain to pay my respect. I held the lit incense in my hands, got on my knees, kowtowed three times, and said a prayer to the open sky. Then I stuck the incense in the dirt. A couple of years later, my grandmother passed away. I'll always regret not knowing my grandparents.

My friend Marc lost his grandfather recently. He wished he could've said the things he wanted to say to him. Marc's behind bars. He's in mourning.

That's just another heavy price to pay for those who have committed crimes and are incarcerated. We never stop paying.

My deepest condolences goes out to Marc's family.

Please always cherish your loved ones.