Thank you for showing all of you. You speak so honestly. It's a rough road for sure and I hope writing your story helps you heal. You are a GOOD person. You have a BIG heart. You are SPECIAL.
We all just do the best we are able. And as parents we all perpetually feel it has not been enough. That it will never be enough. Try to take a moment each day to gift yourself at least a little forgiveness.
Thank you so much, Kathryn. It is interesting to watch ourselves be inspired or made mute by seasons of life. Thank you for reminding me that I'm not odd.
I send you my sincere gratitude for your authenticity and courage. Many of your points apply to parents of adult children who suffer from other illnesses and addictions, though not in prison. Thank you for sharing your raw honesty.
My girl. I wish I had something clever or profound to say - or that I could somehow do anything to make this all a little bit less ENTIRELY SUCKY for you. All I can do is applaud your honest and encourage more of it. It's good for you - and it's good for us. It's an honour to read - truly, thank you.
What I find interesting is even though I have no children, and therefore no child in prison, how much I still relate to what you're saying. The shit that's really unfair. The saying we're fine when we're not. The frustration with banal "how are you?" when we feel like screaming. All of this is universal. Keeping digging deep and uncovering these truths...
You already know that I love you but this universality and relating endeared me more. To know that what I'm saying reached beyond parenthood and prison into the shated human mess is the best thing I've heard all week. Linking arms with you from here.
Sitting in stillness is a powerful antidote to the noise we are exposed to our individual lives. Different stillness, different noise. But it’s not always peaceful to sit in silence. I get it.
You are doing good work here. I hope for yourself; I know so for others.
Mothers and others who have kids inside or don’t can identify with what you have to say because you have amazing storytelling powers.
You give us a sense of what it is like to feel what we have not experienced.
I appreciate this more than you can now. I appreciate you.
Keep going, mama. Sit silent when you need to. Grab a good friend and go somewhere where you can scream when you need to. And keep writing.
What is really hard for me in reading your poor heart spilled out like guts on a slaughter house floor, is hitting that “like” heart shaped button. How can I, as someone who has nothing to brag about in my life, read this gut wrenching saga of unrelenting pain and anger and in the end say “I liked that!” Substack needs to put an “Empathy “ button next to their “Like” button for people like me who really understand what and why you expose yourself like this, and wish I could take you in my arms and say, “Everything is going to be alright, I love you!”
Oooh, an empathy button. Now that would be revolutionary. I feel it from here, button or no, though. Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. It means the world to me, to my family.
I have written this same thing elsewhere, and feel it often! AGREED. The ‘like’ has always been problematic, and even more so with some of the best and most important writing here… of which Bridget’s IS, full stop.
This piece really resonated with me! I totally understand where you're coming from! Love this entry! You made me both laugh and tear up! I felt your heart as if it was mine. Every challenge you've faced, the uncomfortable truths, disgusts, lies, prison bs, and dreams for our sons - matches much of mine! Big hugs to you Bridget!
Thanks, Gina and I continue to be so grateful for you, for our bond, for the fact that we can link arms and do this together. Sending you so much love today.
I hope writing this one felt like a big exhale at least. The heaviness you carry would weigh anyone down. But your sunken footsteps are leading the way for others dealing with this or similar burdens. No matter what happens, though, take care of you.
I'm always thankful for your perspective. Reading “the heaviness you carry would weigh anyone down” allowed me a huge deep breath this morning. Thank you.
I made a comment but I must have not posted it properly,,,,, anyway B keep writing, keep hoping! Pray 2026 is that year of encouragement and the return home of your son!
I just finished reading this for the second time while having my morning coffee. It’s real, raw and revealing!! I can envision you waving the “White Flag” and seeing your strength waning as you keep it from touching the floor, surely a journey I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to endure!
Are you chronologically compiling your writings for publication? I hope so! I have several friends who have adult children in prison, and cannot express the gambit of emotions, thoughts, and feelings like you can. No doubt those people would be your greatest audience…
BTW you might think about sending a couple of your writings to John Grisham. I know he would be impressed by you and possibly a great encouragement❣️
Thank you, always, for reading and for your words. I am writing a (kinda) chronological book at the moment. It's hard to keep it straight stay to finish because I'm flashing to my childhood as well... it'll be interesting whatever comes of it. 😉 I don't know if John would love my writing but I'm sure glad he's now doing innocence work!! Thank you for the encouragement.
I’m silenced by your words 💔 My heart breaks with and for you as this nightmare continues to unfold moment by moment hour by hour and day by day 😢 Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and emotions with such insight and wisdom❣️ Gigantic hugs 🤗 and LOVE ❤️ 🙏✝️
Thank you for showing all of you. You speak so honestly. It's a rough road for sure and I hope writing your story helps you heal. You are a GOOD person. You have a BIG heart. You are SPECIAL.
It is the people that support us/me here that help the healing process. I'm so thankful for you.
We all just do the best we are able. And as parents we all perpetually feel it has not been enough. That it will never be enough. Try to take a moment each day to gift yourself at least a little forgiveness.
As always, you calm my soul. Thank you, MaryBeth.
It's interesting the way that sometimes what we're going through drives us to write and sometimes it absolutely can't be written.
Sending lots of support and kindness as we enter this new year.
Thank you so much, Kathryn. It is interesting to watch ourselves be inspired or made mute by seasons of life. Thank you for reminding me that I'm not odd.
Another beautiful piece. Bridget, can I re-stack your piece on my sub stack? (Mine is about the experience of teaching in prison.)
I would be honored! Thank you, Kate.
It's up!
https://katestonelombardi.substack.com/p/perspectives-guest-post
Brilliant, Kate. I think I just fell in love with sharing pieces this way!!
I send you my sincere gratitude for your authenticity and courage. Many of your points apply to parents of adult children who suffer from other illnesses and addictions, though not in prison. Thank you for sharing your raw honesty.
My girl. I wish I had something clever or profound to say - or that I could somehow do anything to make this all a little bit less ENTIRELY SUCKY for you. All I can do is applaud your honest and encourage more of it. It's good for you - and it's good for us. It's an honour to read - truly, thank you.
What I find interesting is even though I have no children, and therefore no child in prison, how much I still relate to what you're saying. The shit that's really unfair. The saying we're fine when we're not. The frustration with banal "how are you?" when we feel like screaming. All of this is universal. Keeping digging deep and uncovering these truths...
You already know that I love you but this universality and relating endeared me more. To know that what I'm saying reached beyond parenthood and prison into the shated human mess is the best thing I've heard all week. Linking arms with you from here.
Linking back!!
Your self-awareness is impressive and makes the writing clean and clear.
I'm grateful for your seeing it. Thank you for being so kind and careful with this piece.
Sitting in stillness is a powerful antidote to the noise we are exposed to our individual lives. Different stillness, different noise. But it’s not always peaceful to sit in silence. I get it.
You are doing good work here. I hope for yourself; I know so for others.
Mothers and others who have kids inside or don’t can identify with what you have to say because you have amazing storytelling powers.
You give us a sense of what it is like to feel what we have not experienced.
I appreciate this more than you can now. I appreciate you.
Keep going, mama. Sit silent when you need to. Grab a good friend and go somewhere where you can scream when you need to. And keep writing.
We are here. We hear you.
What is really hard for me in reading your poor heart spilled out like guts on a slaughter house floor, is hitting that “like” heart shaped button. How can I, as someone who has nothing to brag about in my life, read this gut wrenching saga of unrelenting pain and anger and in the end say “I liked that!” Substack needs to put an “Empathy “ button next to their “Like” button for people like me who really understand what and why you expose yourself like this, and wish I could take you in my arms and say, “Everything is going to be alright, I love you!”
My tears are just for you today.
Oooh, an empathy button. Now that would be revolutionary. I feel it from here, button or no, though. Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. It means the world to me, to my family.
I have written this same thing elsewhere, and feel it often! AGREED. The ‘like’ has always been problematic, and even more so with some of the best and most important writing here… of which Bridget’s IS, full stop.
You are so brave and bad ass at the same time!!! Thanks for keeping it real <3!
From one to another. Love you.
This piece really resonated with me! I totally understand where you're coming from! Love this entry! You made me both laugh and tear up! I felt your heart as if it was mine. Every challenge you've faced, the uncomfortable truths, disgusts, lies, prison bs, and dreams for our sons - matches much of mine! Big hugs to you Bridget!
Thanks, Gina and I continue to be so grateful for you, for our bond, for the fact that we can link arms and do this together. Sending you so much love today.
I hope writing this one felt like a big exhale at least. The heaviness you carry would weigh anyone down. But your sunken footsteps are leading the way for others dealing with this or similar burdens. No matter what happens, though, take care of you.
I'm always thankful for your perspective. Reading “the heaviness you carry would weigh anyone down” allowed me a huge deep breath this morning. Thank you.
I made a comment but I must have not posted it properly,,,,, anyway B keep writing, keep hoping! Pray 2026 is that year of encouragement and the return home of your son!
Thank you!! 2026 is looking up!! 🖤
I just finished reading this for the second time while having my morning coffee. It’s real, raw and revealing!! I can envision you waving the “White Flag” and seeing your strength waning as you keep it from touching the floor, surely a journey I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to endure!
Are you chronologically compiling your writings for publication? I hope so! I have several friends who have adult children in prison, and cannot express the gambit of emotions, thoughts, and feelings like you can. No doubt those people would be your greatest audience…
BTW you might think about sending a couple of your writings to John Grisham. I know he would be impressed by you and possibly a great encouragement❣️
Thank you, always, for reading and for your words. I am writing a (kinda) chronological book at the moment. It's hard to keep it straight stay to finish because I'm flashing to my childhood as well... it'll be interesting whatever comes of it. 😉 I don't know if John would love my writing but I'm sure glad he's now doing innocence work!! Thank you for the encouragement.
It takes so much courage to be this honest - thank you.
Thank you, Serena. Ditto back to you.
I’m silenced by your words 💔 My heart breaks with and for you as this nightmare continues to unfold moment by moment hour by hour and day by day 😢 Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and emotions with such insight and wisdom❣️ Gigantic hugs 🤗 and LOVE ❤️ 🙏✝️
Huge hugs and so much gratitude in return. 🖤