"WARRIORS' WORDS"
From Death Row
I got a letter today from Jeff Doughtie
who is on Death Row in Texas
and we all KNOW what that means:(
and I want to share part of that letter with you
"Dear Carol,
This short note is to say hello and let you know I got your letter and was glad to hear from you.
I'm not sure how long we'll be able to write.
My Lawyer will file my writ with the Supreme Court on March 5th
so it's looking like a June execution date for me.
I have exhausted all appeals.
But hey, I'm really alright with it.
"I trade concrete and steel, for streets paved in gold".
I have no doubt at all
I'm headed for heaven!
God's "unconditional love and forgiveness" reaches all, even "Death Row."
Peace And Love,
Jeff
This is just part of his beautiful letter. he gave me the URL of a website that is going to follow his execution, And I will post it later.
Respectfully,
~Carol~
"A man in my situation fights day in and day out in hopes of accomplishing something positive in dealing with the appeal courts who constantly seems to shoot things out. But that man fights and fights until his spirits are just about broken and in his fight he also hopes for love and thru life's blessing he find someone who is so special that his whole being lights up with happiness as a burning nova and the idea of seeing and looking forward to holding you in my arms give me more energy to fight as well as hope..."
(This was written 18 January 2001 at Ellis Unit, TX)
I gave up on people and life. But because of my three penpals, they (you) showed me that the world still has good people in it. I'll just have to wait for my turn for happiness. I won't give up on life any more. And I'll never take advantage of my freedom any more. I'll get out of my cage one day. I want to help all I can in life."
(From an Iron House in Florida)
You ask if there is anything you can do. You've already done it, care, and write. I don't get many letters at all. I am so glad you did write, and yes, it would be nice to hear from you again. It really helps to get mail, I look forward to hearing you again. My best to you and your family.
Again, I can't begin to tell you how much your letters mean to me. I wait impatiently for each one, you're about the only one who writes, mail is a big thing in prison, as I guess you have heard. So, until then, have a wonderful vacation. My best to your husband, children and the rest of your family. The Great Spirit with you always,
Take care
(From an Iron House in Virginia)
Just a few lines to say Hi and Thank you once again, my friend. First of all I hope that this letter will find you not only in good health, but good spirit as well. I hope that you will not be upset at me for what I am about to say right now? This comes from my heart and spirit. I have truly come to feel like I have more than just a good friend in you, I feel that I can call you my Hope and Light, and above all my newly-found loving and caring beloved FAMILY, that I am truly thankful for having become a part of my life? [?] One more thing, I wish you and your loved ones a very nice Christmas and a Happy New Year. Take good care of yourself and write soon if you have the time.
Respectfully,
You have become a very special person to me. I read your letters from time to time and they seem to help me somehow.
About your liking to make a difference to someone, well, let me tell you that you have made a big difference to me and how I look at things in life. Thank you very much my dear sweet caring friend.
I can truly say that I have something that is more important to me than anything else, that is your true friendship and your respect and to feel in my own heart that I have someone out there that really cares for me and about what is happening to my life.
(From an Iron House in California)
I felt you were honest, so why shouldn't I have told you about why I was in here for? I didn't want you thinking that I was some kind of liar and wanted to let you know what kind of person you were writing to. You have been nothing but straight with me in every letter I have received from you. I admire that very much !!! I don't care if you are a woman, married, and older than me, you are a FRIEND, and that is what I like very much about you !
You are the first person I have come to trust again. My family has been here for me since day one, but you are other than family. I really don't have any friends anymore. Only a very few, it has been said that if you go to prison you really find out who your friends are. I am very happy to call you a friend!
Before I go, I would like to THANK YOU sooooo much for the birthday card you send !!! It made my day !
Your letters are a real joy to read and they take me away from this place. Like I said, I cannot thank you enough. Thank you ! I enjoy writing to you and it takes me away for a while, from this mess, this trench. And so I stand down and take a rest.
Nice to know that I don't bore you! Well, here is another book to read. I have NEVER written so much in my life! I enjoy it though. Well, my friend, I enjoyed talking with you all you have to say! I shake your hand and say, good bye and thanks. Take care of yourself and your family.
We all make new friendships
through the years,
some last, and some fade with time.
But, if you're really lucky,
You find a true Friend of the Heart.
I was lucky.
I found you.
Merry Christmas!
I am happy to have met you as well, you're right even if it is only by mail. Funny, at first I really didn't know what to say to you at all. It was kind of strange for me. I am very happy to know you my friend! I enjoy it very much to read your letters and what you have to say, your letters really brighten my day here ! Like meeting for real and talking as well as listening. That's a nice way of putting it, meeting a friend over a cup of coffee, catching up with the news, and sharing ideas. So I taught you a few thing, well I must stay you have also taught me a whole new outlook on life and the things you say are really interesting to me as well. I also thank you, and you are really welcome my friend!
I enjoy my time writing to you very much !!! Yes! You have brightened up many days here especially when that little skirmish happened. Again, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't thank you.
At times I find myself thinking of you as a second mother. You listen to me, you are always here for me and you have helped a lot. Nobody had ever called me nice, decent and respectful before. Thank you for believing that I deserve a second chance out there. When I go out I will go back to college, and be there for my family. I hope I will find peace and forgiveness?.
(From an Iron House in Arizona)
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