Full disclosure: I am nutty about folks who are intellectually smart, bright, and damn near close to brilliant!
Full disclosure: I am incessantly giddy about folks who don’t mind making a “way out of no way!”
Full disclosure: I am attracted to folks who possess a business aptitude and are strident in overcoming insurmountable odds, regardless of the complexity, with Sampson-like herculean gusto!
Full disclosure: I enthusiastically champion and revel in anyone who “rises from the ashes” and resurrects and resuscitates their life, their goals, and their dreams.
Full disclosure: As our ten-year relationship magisterially continues to grow, you will still find me an incorrigible believer in and in awe of, Jonathan!
During the apex of my television and radio stints, I received an adoring letter from an endearing fan.
Needless to say, I had LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of conflicted trepidation in acknowledging this fan’s letter as Jonathan was the public property of the State of Florida. In other words, he was incarcerated. In other words, he was an inmate. In other words, he was a prisoner. In other words, he was a convict. In other words, he was a felon.
Suffice to say, don’t know at the time if I was being Pollyanna, being politically correct, being plain naïve, or if I was just “stuck on stupid.” Nevertheless, I wrote back and thanked him for his admiration and fan support.
Yeah, I know. You are having a “what in the hell were you thinking of” moment, too!
In addition, you probably want me to answer your innumerable curiosity questions beginning with why a married, successful professional would spend years of her life corresponding to an endangered stray.
Yep, you are right. I didn’t have a “quarter in that dollar!” Yet, with the advantage of having 20/20 hindsight, I am so glad that I allowed my humanity, my empathy, and my compassion for this young man to manifest, to enfold, and to prevail versus becoming encased into embittered cynicism.
Unmasked, Jonathan was not the poltergeist, the malevolent, the dead beat, nor the ruffian as described by the State of Florida. Instead, I would characterize him as being a shrewd entrepreneur, a spiritualist, a street-smart operative, a consummate professional, and an oratorical philosopher.
Puzzled, I often asked myself how a sharp brother with all of this brain power, coupled with all of his amazing skills sets, talents, gifts, and someone blessed with such a personable personality could become entrapped into the Florida’s Department of Corrections’ quagmire which notoriously chokes the freaking life out of folks!
And, what plausible explanation could he render to explain his epic malfeasance to skeptical individuals who would forever become his judge, his jury, and his executioner?
Well, regardless of the incomprehensible mysteries surrounding his incarceration, this is what I know for sure:
During our eight-year correspondence, Jonathan, using his own wits, managed to defend himself by writing and responding to legal briefs that chiseled his sentence from nearly 75 years to a miniscule amount of time!
Come again?
As I said, this brother inhaled “chapter and verse” of every available law book and successfully wrote and answered legal briefs challenging his conviction—–and won!
Say what?
I believe that serendipity allowed me to enter Jonathan’s life when he sorely and desperately needed a mentor—someone who could surgically implant back into his “left for dead” soul a renewal of his spirit. Recharged, he worked defiantly and relentlessly for manumission—-and got it!
“A drowning man needs air.”
To celebrate my protégé’s successful release, I traveled eight hours in order to treat him to a delectable lunch. It was a surreal experience, moment, and a memorable event for both of us as this was our first face-to-face meeting, as well as, the very first time that we had ever heard the cadences of each other’s voice!
Sweet!
Two years have quickly passed since Jonathan’s release and I am delighted and proud to inform your inquiring minds that he is still doing extremely well. Jonathan is still gainfully employed as an aspiring entrepreneur. He also has a lovely girlfriend and, together, both are chasing the American dream of home ownership.
And, guess what? Jonathan hasn’t forgotten about me!
Habitually, he always contacts me on each holiday. Habitually, he always recognizes me on my birthday. Habitually, he frequently sends me business-related tips, quotes, inspirational messages, and affirmations. And, finally, habitually, he says that one day he wants to repay me for my loyalty by helping me to make millions!
That’s very nice.
But frankly, my friend, I’m just happy that you are alive and, to me, that’s so priceless!
