Something To Understand Family and Friends (S.T.U.F.F.) helps students open up the difficult emotions when those they are close to are incarcerated.
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S.T.U.F.F., Week 3, August 2014
Dennis Danziger has a simple question to as the students of POPS:
If You Wrote a Loved One Who is Incarcerated What Would You Say?
Dear J-
It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. It would be nice to get a picture from you and hang out with you like we used to. I need someone to toughen me up, play football with me or just talk about life, you know? How have you been? Are you starting to see yourself change?
Dear T-
Why did you leave so soon? I just have one picture to remember how you look. I was only 6 or 7 when you left our home. Do you remember me? Do you think about us? It’s hard to say you left us too soon. I hope that you are doing okay.
Dear Brother –
Maggie’s mom is going to take me to see you when I turn 18.
Dear G-
Well, I never met you but I wish you didn’t do the things you did that are restricting you from being in my life. Wish you were here to see me grow and become a man. Maybe we’ll meet someday. Or not. Be good.
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Dear A-
Words cannot explain how much I miss you. How much a part of my life you’ve missed out on. So many Thanksgivings and Christmases I’ve wished for you to be here. Memories we could have made. Pictures I wish you were in.
Dear Unc-
I’ll see you when you get out. I won’t wanna talk about the past so I’ll just talk about the future. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you. We can do lots of things and I can’t wait for you to see D-. I miss you.
Dear O-
More than 4 years have passed since you stopped drinking. By a miracle your life changed and you have a wonderful family. And you are my favorite uncle. But when I found out what you did to your poor family, well, they didn’t deserve it. We didn’t deserve it.
They were young. What could they know about being locked up, but they sure felt so much pain, not just emotional, but physical. We tried keeping your imprisonment a secret. We would lie and lie and lie. Why did we have to go through all this? Why couldn’t you man up?
Dear Uncle,
I have not seen you for about 2 years now and I want to tell you that I miss you! You do not deserve to be in there with those people. You are innocent. Many things have changed now. I am a senior in high school and loving it. I hope I get to see you soon, uncle. I miss you so much.
Dear Uncle,
Many things have changed in these five years. I still remember all the things you taught me like when I used to visit and we would cook. I thank you for that. I just wish you could find your way home because I truly miss you.
Dear M-
I believed in you. I hoped you wouldn’t go back for your own good. But you did. You f-ed up again. Now, you can’t get high for 4 years. How lame.
Dear Tio R –
We miss you so much. Sorry I haven’t written in a couple of months. My Grandpa said that they moved you again and I keep forgetting to get your new address. I wish we could go see you but you’re so far away and you can’t have visitors. I’m so sorry. I wish we could all go see you and take you Gramma’s food and tell you how much we love you. Gramma cries every time you call. I love you, Tio, and I hope you’re back feels better. Stay out of trouble. Please.
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Hey V-
What up, kid?
I know it’s rough doing your bit.
When the cops came you should have slid to my crib.
Screw it.
No time for looking back.
It’s done.
Plus, congratulations, you know, you got a son.
Can’t wait ’til your time is done.
Think it through next time,
You’re not the only one.
◊♦◊
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California Students Transform Through Art With POPS
Teaching Kids to Open the Tap on Creativity
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