26 Comments
User's avatar
Maria R's avatar

I'm not sure how you've done it, except that as Momma's, we do unimaginable things for our babies! Your words never cease to amaze me. Your boy gets his strength from you. Happy Mother's Day....so many better days to come and he is a survivor.

Bridget Young's avatar

I'm humbled and honored and thank you so very much for your understanding and support! Harpy Mothers Day to another… wishing you every blessing this year.

Billie Best's avatar

Consider starting a Go Fund Me page to help launch his new life. You have built up a lot of good will here beyond subscriptions.

Bridget Young's avatar

It's so hard to ask for support! Thank you for this idea. 🖤

Tammy D's avatar

An Amazon wishlist would also be good! I am thankful he is coming home!

Deb Zerafa's avatar

Do it when it’s needed, soon very soon❣️

NotTomHardy's avatar

If anyone, your son sees the trials, hardships, dedication and loyalty you’ve shown through this. He will be a better man because of it. You’re remarkable in every way.

Bridget Young's avatar

Thank you, Not Tom.

Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Kudos for bringing the prison system and all it's faults into the light. Most are so far removed from its sad reality. My daughter's partner has been incarcerated several times since sge met him in 2022. My eyes have been opened. I just finished Meth Lunches by Kim Foster who writes on here. Great book that among other things, goes into incarceration in America and prison food. Highly recommended. Mother's Day? Don't even go there. I have 7 children and they don't visit or call. When a text will do.

Bridget Young's avatar

That book has been on my list... and yet, my stomach turns to think about meth. I hate it. With a passion. Looking the devil in the face is hard to do, but we do it. Sending you a hug today for all that you've endured.

Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Thank you, Bridget. The book is not really about meth but it starts out talking about a couple that are using. My daughter’s drug of choice is fentanyl.sonehow, with all its toxicity and overdose potential tial, I prefer it to meth. She gets way too psychotic in crystal. Things I wish I didn't know about but here we are.

Bridget Young's avatar

Indeed. Oh, the things I wish I didn't know. 💔

Rev. Kevin T. Taylor's avatar

Bridget, the line that stayed with me was, “Mom, if she hangs in there, does the time too.” Throughout this piece you widen the lens from your own story to the thousands of families carrying consequences that most people never stop to consider, especially on holidays that are supposed to celebrate connection. I was also moved by the tension between the grief of the years lost and the hope of what comes next; the parole update does not erase the hardship, but it changes the horizon in a profound way. Thank you for sharing both the cost of this journey and the hard-won hope that now stands on the other side of it.

Bridget Young's avatar

I'm grateful for your perspective, truly.

Backroad Portfolio's avatar

Thinking of your family as you transition to your son's parole experience and wishing you all wonderful days ahead!

Bridget Young's avatar

We appreciate all of the ways that you have supported us, and continue to, through these years. Sending the same goodness back to you.

Elizabeth Poland Shugg's avatar

I'm so glad you zero in on the importance of thinking of "prison moms" on Mother's Day. In any case where a son or daughter is in prison, I always think of the moms and what they're going through. I do this with the moms of athletes as well when they suffer injuries. As moms, we carry so many emotions for our children that we sometimes suppress our own.

Bridget Young's avatar

So true. It is the under-discussed part of being mom. From the time we see lines on a stick, we are charged to consider another’s needs—to the grave. When they struggle, we struggle. When they succeed, we breathe more deeply too. What a mysterious and wonderful role to have in someone’s life.

Alexis's avatar

As a younger sibling and niece who understands the prison system first-hand, as someone who reads your blogs and resonates, and simply as a woman I am sending so much love to you and your family. The update was heartwarming. Thank you for shedding light on this topic and for providing education for folks as well. Congratulations to you both.

Bridget Young's avatar

Awwww, thank you!! Sending so much love back to you. 🖤

Gina's avatar

Just reading this now. I look forward to reading more future posts from you! So happy for your son to be coming home! I know its been a rough ride, for both of you!

Jim Evans's avatar

Praying for you and your son and your family. Praying Jesus will comfort, provide, uplift and protect you all. I'm Jesus name, amen.

Avi's avatar
May 10Edited

Congratulations so much to him, you, and family for him making parole !!! Yay!!! 🎉👏🥳🇦🇺🇺🇸🎂💐🧸

His adjustment and experiences to the outside world would be good to document. A whole new story. A collection of parolees (is that the appropriate term?) experiences would I imagine assist others that follow…. Does such a thing currently exist to assist your son?

Is there a post release support or aftercare/through care provided by the state to facilitate re-integration for parolees and their families? I imagine probably not. It’s a real shame.

None the less, congratulations again. I am so very happy for you. All of you. 👏👏👏

DC Icepick's avatar

Praying, nothing will stop the release of him from the prison bars….. a new and amazing story awaits!! 🙏🙏🙏

Jim Sayers's avatar

Your remarkable story reminds us of our complacency. Thank you.

Bridget Young's avatar

Thank you for being open to it, Jim.