What kind of birthday card do you send to someone on death row? There are jolly ones ("To the birthday boy!" Not appropriate), boozy ones ("Open a bottle on your birthday!" He can't), restful ones ("Put your feet up on your birthday!" Yes. He can do that; all day every day), partying ones (no parties on death row).
After much searching, I settled for a bland, anodyne picture of a fluffy kitten, with a minimal birthday message.
The assistant commented on my choice, so I explained.
"Do they still have the electric chair?" she asked.
"No. It's lethal injection now," I told her.
"Oh. That's not so bad, then is it?" she said.
Hmmm...
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Wow, that's a question I have never pondered before. Kind of sobering actually. I am sure any kind of card would be welcome in such a situation.
ReplyDeleteBlank inside and write something yourself, what with your skills and all.
ReplyDeleteAnd the assistant has either issues or medications.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if I'm being a bit personal here...but why are you sending a card to someone on death row? Not that I'm against you and your kind thought or that someone on death row shouldn't have their birthday remembered in this way, but how did you come about knowing someone who is about to walk the green mile?
ReplyDeleteAs about the birthday wishes.
May your birthday wishes bring you much peace now and for ever more.
@Jarmara, if you go to Frances' website (the link is on here, too), you will find out how come she is sending a birthday card to someone on death row.
ReplyDeleteThe shop assistant simply didn't think - and it is such a typical way of NOT thinking, isn't it?
@Jarmara, if you go to Frances' website (the link is on here, too), you will find out how come she is sending a birthday card to someone on death row.
ReplyDeleteThe shop assistant simply didn't think - and it is such a typical way of NOT thinking, isn't it?
HI, Karen. Yes - any card would probaly be welcome, but as it may well be the only one he gets, I did want to get it right.
ReplyDeleteNevets, you're right. It was blank inside. As for the assistant, I think she just wasn't thinking. But it did amuse me.
Jarmara, I can't remember what it says on my website, but I write to him through an organisation called Lifelines - very well organised, and they will find prisoners for letter-writers (and vice versa). There's always a waiting list of prisoners wanting people to write to them. Many of them have no-one else. Lifelines also produce a quatertly magazine for prisoners and their correspondents, which has comments, competitions, and, chillingly, news from the different states (tends to be news of executions, stays of execution etc). It is a good thing to do, but not easy, because when, as often happens, there are long silences from the prisoner, it's hard to know what to say. Lovely long walks in the countryside, holidays, jolly family events etc. are obviously not tactful! Mine went off the air for ages after his close friend was executed.
Librarian, thanks for pointing that out (I had forgotten about it!).