Reentry

Dear Chodron,

Greetings!

It has been too long since I last wrote. I am happy to announce that on December 3rd I will be free and clear of all my probation and parole obligations. After nearly 30 years I will be free to travel and move around the country as I wish.

Naturally there are several things I want to do and see. I intend to take my childhood friend David’s ashes to our favorite spot in California by a redwood cove and leave him resting there. I would like to visit my mother, who I have not been able to see since 2007, in Indiana. Then I plan to visit friends and supporters who helped me navigate my prison sentence and who were influential in helping me shape my new life and who encouraged me to change my perspective and behavior. These are mostly Buddhist practitioners but a few are former prisoners as well. I hope to visit Munich, Germany–my place of birth–and see a few friends there. Of course, this all depends on affordability and the responsibilities that I have here in Washington State. At least now I can make plans that can come to fruition.

Over the past year I’ve been taking care of a home for a friend who is incarcerated who also wants to utilize it as a temporary shelter for homeless and prisoners in the reentry process. To date nine men who are either homeless, freshly out of prison, or in an emergency situation have stayed at the house and helped with repairs or garden work. I did much of the renovation and organized repairs of the home, which is now nearly complete. It was a huge project but very gratifying. I also have the privilege of working with several agencies and organizations to address homelessness and its causes, specifically the impact that prisoners newly released from prison have on the homeless crisis in our country, which is largely ignored or misunderstood. I am free to apply for part-time work in this field now and am seeking a part-time position in a job where I can provide input that might be helpful. Fortunately a couple of people have helped defray related costs and I have my Social Security retirement, which sustains me well enough not to worry about my next meal, and housing is currently covered. It is my sustained Buddhist practice that keeps me grounded which is one of the reasons I still practice at a local Zen center and Tibetan Buddhist center.

In all, I am well and happy to let you know that I very much appreciate the support you and Sravasti Abbey gave me over the past many years. Without it and the support of many others I could very likely be another statistic in a homeless camp or worse. It was one of my goals to successfully transition back into society as a way to honor all those who stood by me, guided me, and believed in me. So thank you for all you’ve done to help. I am forever in your debt and honored and privileged to know you.

With many bows and with deep gratitude,

Calvin