Frozen Time

Time stood still for the direct victims of my crime for the past twenty years. I read a letter from one of my victims during yesterday's hearing. An extreme sense of shame, guilt, and regret consumed me immediately. The victim painfully depicted the suffering the family had endured and the impact of the crime on them. I can only imagine how difficult and painful it was for the victim to write the letter. I was not surprised that the suffering was fresh on the victim's mind as if the crime had happened yesterday. I'm grateful that the victim had found the courage and strength to share her feelings with me. By knowing how the victims felt, it reaffirmed my vow never to commit a crime against anyone.