I have a distant cousin (once removed) who is in the "Big House" right now.
My Mom doesn't feel enthusiastic about writing to him. But I would like to. My Mom knows him better than I, to be honest. Evidently, this cousin really mistreated his father (my recently departed great uncle) when he was younger. He is in jail now, for reasons I know not.
As a family member and a Christian man, I would like to write to this cousin of mine and try to encourage him. I want to help him, if I can. I want him to understand that he can change, and that there is hope for a better tomorrow. I know that there is potential there for him. I do not know if he is saved. I believe that he isn't, though I have no evidence to unfairly assume this.
I know that he has done drugs in the past. Pardon the cliche, but indeed, we all make mistakes.
What would you suggest I say to him? He feels lonely, and he needs someone to write to him. As I said before, I want to help him, provided that I can do so.
2007-04-13 07:10:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
I didn't have a family member, but a friend of my sons that went in for 22 yrs. Sometimes I am the only person that writes to him. At 1st I wanted to help him "change into a better person" but after a while I realized that it isn't my responsibility & only HE can decide to change.I recently mentioned that I was proud of the "change" I saw in him & he was offended & told me he is the same person he always was.
I usually just write about things going on in my own life & let him say whatever he wants to.
I have helped him to realize that he isn't alone, and that he is a good guy who just made bad decisions. He has gone thru some good changes in the past few years & not neccessarily because of me. I just try to be a friend to him because a lot of times there is no one else. He has thanked me for that many times over.
Anyone in jail could use a friend, there is no harm in it, as long as you are understanding of their position ( I wasn't always) It is sometimes a very different world "inside" . It is of course,your choice to go visit or not, But writing is always a good thing for the person inside & sometimes for the one "outside" as well.
having said that, Please consider your Mom's advise as she may know more than others what the situation is ?? & she knows YOU better than anyone on here as well.
Good luck with that situation & God Bless you.
2007-04-13 07:36:23 · answer #1 · answered by 5thof11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're wonderful for wanting to uplift your cousin this way.
Your cousin's going through stress that I can't even begin to imagine. You might want to offer ways for him to deal with that stress positively, if you know something that works for you.
Maybe send him a book or two - maybe something uplifting, and maybe every once in a while, something funny. (Laughing always helps me.)
Best of luck to you. You sound like a wonderful, kind guy.
2007-04-13 07:17:01 · answer #2 · answered by *huge sigh* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by just writing about your life and what is going on in general. Just like you would with anyone else. Then let it evolve from there
2007-04-13 07:16:24 · answer #3 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write the damn letter, I been locked up and it feels great to get a letter and know that some one still thinks about you.
2007-04-13 07:21:53 · answer #4 · answered by Borg_MonkeyDrone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i see no harm writing to him we all deserve second chances and since he is reaching out to you sorta speak than why not write to him, best wishes
2007-04-13 07:18:18 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs. Worley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would except for the crime of sexual abuse of children.
2016-05-19 17:15:11 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋