Christmas on the inside

In the midst of the newest family disaster I get a letter from my nephew. He is currently serving time in an AZ prison facility.

I'd never really seen his his handwriting before. The letters are tiny and neat. His spelling? It's bad. But not so bad that you can't read it easily.

It's a long letter, two pages. Lots of content. Pleads for photos from the recent anniversary party. I'd promised to send them and in all the Christmas busyness I haven't gotten around to it yet. Some photos are still waiting for me at Costco. I hope to get them out soon. I've sent the Christmas picture of his cousins. I've sent two Christmas cards and I plan on sending a third. I don't think he'll receive many cards this year.

There are questions about a recent event. Concerns because from where he is it looks odd. 'Is Gpa ok?' Gpa didn't mention it in his letters and he begs me for an explanation. He worries about their health. He worries because he can't see them or talk to them. I'll jot him some quick answers in my next letter and hustle it off to the mail. It's important that he not wait too long for some of those answers. You see, Johnboy was raised by my parents from about six months of age. My parents are his parents. My sons are more like brothers than cousins. Emotionally that is how our family operates.

My father has initiated a letter writing campaign. It's important that he not feel abandoned by his family, Gpa says. Money Orders are being sent on a regular schedule. He is organizing that so Johnboy has regular money for the things he'll need or want. Phone calls are very very expensive and money will be sent to pay for those. So we can hear his voice during the holidays. Communication though, with have to be primarily thorugh letters. You cannot imagine how hard this is for my dad. English is his second language and spelling and syntax are diffecult for him. His letters are short because of this but also because my dad doesn't wish to worry him. Johnboy is burdend enough, no need to add to it.

So far it's just me and dad. His own mother struggles with so many things. Drugs, poor health, poverty. She may never write him. His father, my brother, will never write him. And though he lives just minutes from the facility, may never visit. There are some reasons for that, none of them very good.

It's five days till Christmas.

What exactly is Christmas spirit?