55 Degrees

Fifteen years ago, I longed for the day I would turn 55. It would mean that I would have fully served my time in prison and parole. I’d have my right to vote restored. I could travel the world. The debt I owed my community would be fully paid. 

I envisioned the life I’d like to be living at 55. I’d know recovery from mental illness and substance use disorder. I’d have loving relationships. My career would be back on track. I’d know freedom inside and out. 

And 15 years ago I started to live that life as if I were already 55. I got to work. I volunteered as a sexual assault prevention trainer. I spent time on my own recovery every day, and then I served as a mentor to others. I meditated daily. I wrote to my daughter weekly. I learned to be grateful. I discovered integrity. 

Nine years ago, I was released from prison and placed on parole. I kept at it. I’d leave my house at 5am, ride my bike to the bus stop, place my bike on the rack on the front of the bus, travel to the bus station nearest my job, and then ride my bike the remaining 5 miles for an 8-hour shift working at $9/hour. Eventually, I created better opportunities. 

In the nine years following my release, I helped on legislative campaigns to decrease mass incarceration in Texas and create opportunities for people to overcome barriers to employment. I taught advanced policy at the University of Texas at Austin. I created a coalition of formerly incarcerated leaders, training them to be leaders in advocacy and in their own lives. They accomplished astonishing things. 

There was nothing more rewarding to me than helping others overcome their own challenges and do astonishing things. I retrained as a coach and facilitator. I did hundreds of hours of practice. At age 53, I left a steady paycheck to start my own private practice. 

Today, I train leaders across the country, many of whom have had similar life experiences as mine. They see the greatnes in themselves and do astonishing things. I also facilitate community workshops with leaders from courts, police, mental health, and reentry, finding ways to keep people with mental illnes out of jail. These leaders change the world.

I turned 55 recently. I served my time in prison and parole. My voter ID card is in the mail. I’m getting my passport photo today. I have loving relationships. My career is beyond what I could have imagined 15 years ago. I know freedom inside and out. I do astonishing things.