Holidays by James Carlson

For people in prison, Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a painful time. Many miss their family and friends and regret their decisions that lead them to a life of crime. I know, I have been locked up most of my life and celebrated the holidays alone.
As a teen, I’ve been in boy’s homes, detention centers, and juvenile prison, and remember only 3 Christmas’. One, being beaten with ‘Hot Wheels’ plastic tracks. Two, the Christmas that my sister and I got bikes and a bunch of toys. Not because Santa showed up, but to cover up the “War of Roses Divorce” that my parents physically fought in front of us. There’s nothing funny watching my father chase the car as my mother drives off, or seeing a gun pulled out during their arguing, or dishes breaking as they fight. Three, my grandmother (bless her heart) getting me plaid checkered pants with turtleneck shirts that a 11-year-old wouldn’t get taught dead wearing to school.
As a young adult, I’ve been in treatment centers, jails, and prison celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with strangers, but still alone.
However, (this time) I’ve been locked up since 1991, over 33 years now. These last 25 years, I’ve not been alone celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, even birthdays! I have been blessed with a surrogate family who actually care about me. In turn, I have realized that the holidays are about giving. For 25 years, I have been making Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday cards to send to my surrogate family and friends. I make an effort to remember holidays and birthdays to send cards and buy them gifts. I buy them gifts I think that they would like because that’s what families do and is what I wanted ever since I was a kid. So, the best Thanksgiving and Christmas’ I’ve had have been while incarcerated. Of course, what I would give to wear those checkered pants and turtleneck shirts now.
I think it was Sir Winston Churchill that said, “We make a living by what we earn. We make a life by what we give.” So, if anyone reads this and wants to send me a Christmas card my mailing address is:
James R. Carlson, #073536
Bed#3B-46 PMB#173
Central Arizona Correctional Facility
P. O. Box 9600
Florence, AZ 85132
Please do not send any money or gifts. They will not be accepted period. Family and friends have to use money transfer companies like JPay.com or accesscorrections.com to send their loved ones and friends’ money to an inmate’s trust account. But it would be nice to get a Christmas card and find out how many readers read my articles and blogs besides 3 that I know of, and find out if my writings are helping others.
So, have a happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. May your holidays be blessed.
Respectfully submitted,
James Carlson, #073536

Contact Info:

Mr. James R. Carlson #073536
Central Arizona Correctional Facility
PO Box 9600 - PMB #173
Florence, AZ 85132

Email: https://www.securustech.net
Click the link above, then search for James Carlson in the state of Arizona. The facility on Securus is listed as AZ DOC Inmate Services

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