Unexpected Things...

First of all, I cannot believe I've let more than a year pass since I've written in this blog. Shameful. I've not stopped going into the facilities, but maybe a part of me has become adapted to the experience. Maybe the whole process has become 'normal.' Anyway, I need to write more, so... I will. I am.

What's on my mind tonight, or actually who, is E. at the women's facility. She is about to go home. And that's fantastic! She played a big part in starting the Circle at that facility. She wrote the letters, petitioned the Chapel staff, whatever she needed to do. In thinking about it today, it was mostly about timing. My timing, facility timing. Just timing.

She is not the first one I've seen go home. A handful have gone, from both the Men's and Women's facilities; some of them real core members of those groups. There were a lot of things I expected when I started to do this work, and many things I didn't. One of those unexpected things has been how I would feel, personally, when I see them go. I didn't expect to miss them.

Of course, I want to see them go home. Sometimes, especially after a good ritual, having limited time or even leaving them at the facilities is hard. But I know I get to see them again next time. Until the time comes when I don't.

Those last circles are hard for them sometimes, mostly the ladies. There are often tears mingled in with their smiles. There is often the voicing of fears, fears of not having support, or finding community. I witness their fears and do my best to encourage them that they will be okay, they will do well and transition back home and to a better life. I hope that what we've done together, in building spiritual practices, that they will be able to continue on the outside and make the right choices.

Like Hekate who walks ahead of Persephone on the journey to Hades realm, and stays with her during her stay in the Underworld, I walk down with them and stay while they serve those sentences. I realize that now I am starting to walk them back out again, just as Hekate walks ahead of Persephone in the Spring and guides her back to the sunlight. It wasn't something I thought about when I started this.

Of the few that have left so far, I've reconnected with three of them. Having Novices Midwest has given me the ability to offer continuity from prison circles to circles beyond the walls, a place for them to be able to come and practice, and continue to learn with a familiar face and a new community.Some of my favorite people are starting to come out and join us, attending classes ad rituals. It's exciting.

Again, my thoughts go back to E. I'll wait patiently as she makes the transition home, gets her feet on the ground and settles in. I'll watch and wait for the email from her, like I've gotten from the others telling me where she is and how she is doing. But until then, I'll keep singing the song that's become tradition to sing to them as they spiral out into the world again, sending her my love and prayers for a smooth transition.

"We are a People at the full height of our power
  This is the place and now is the hour.
  We are a People at the full height of our power
  This is the place and now is the hour.
  We recognize our sacred worth.
  We have the power to transform the Earth..."

Have a listen... is a great song.

Full Height of Our Power