Mecha's Graduation

Mecha graduated from parenting class at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in June 2005. As a part of the ceremony, she shared her feelings about being a parent with the class and those in attendance. Her children did not attend the ceremony.

Parenting

Parenting meant a link between me and my children.

The piece I've shut out for so many years because of my incarceration.

Some things just subside when you hide them away, such as pain caused by separation and denial.

Parenting opened doors of emotion and channels of opportunity, to those years of life missed with my children.

I can reach out today, instead of fear pushing me to hide in shame.

Parenting helped me focus on my child's needs, instead of drowning myself in guilt and regret.

It's given me hope where I saw none and the belief in myself as a parent, with confidence I never had.

Parenting meant opening myself up to a new method of communicating with my children and taking the risk of feeling emotions in depth, to become the backbone parent my children need in their lives.

Parenting meant adding another precious piece to my puzzle and strengthening this foundation I'm working so hard to create, because in my journey of becoming a healthier, more wise young woman, the miracle of giving life to my children still remains, and being their mother is the greatest of all blessings; so why not reparent myself.

Mecha Williams

June, 2005