Today was one of those days, one of those days that remind me why I love my job so much. I get to meet some truly amazing people...
He´s spent more than 24 years in prison for an armed robbery and rape he did not commit. DNA set him free from his 130 year long sentence. He has a daughter who´s 29 years old. His mother and biggest supporter died 2 years ago, and he was not allowed to go to her funeral.
He just got his first cell phone. He used up 3000 minutes in 10 days!!! He´s never been on the internet. He calls his small, and first, apartment a mansion, compared to his last place of residence.
He shows me his bathroom and opens the mirror cabinet. In there are 6 or so toothbrushes neetly put away. He says he like to use different ones and I say "because you have a choice?" and he nods and smiles...
The amazing thing is he is not the least bit bitter over time lost. He says he has other more important things to do than look back; he has his whole life ahead of him. And he means it, it shows!
So maybe once in a while we should compare our big problems in life; be it the cable TV is out, you got onions on your burger or your cell phone battery is low, to sitting 24 years in prison for a crime you didn´t commit...
Our parting words as we leave through the door. "Pray for me" he says with a big smile...