There is a funny thing about the moon. Because of all I’ve been through, I will never look at it the same again. Now, you might be reading this and thinking to yourself that I’ve officially lost it. I can assure you that I haven’t. What I HAVE lost is a lot of selfishness, arrogance and pride. What I have grown in is humility and gratitude. In addition, I often take time to think about life more deeply and abstractly. When I do this, it helps me to connect with my soul and dive deeper into where I think God is leading me. So now I look at the moon differently.
Early on in my bid, COVID was raging, and it was a difficult time to be incarcerated. At one point I was locked in a cell for seven months without seeing the sky at all. Jails were afraid to interact with inmates. And to give us any fresh air at the risk of us catching COVID. It was the most difficult thing I’ve had to endure mentally, to be locked up like that. When you hear “throw away the key” …. that was the situation I was in. The first time I saw the moon after that period of time, I thought to myself that it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Gratitude. I never want to forget that time.
So throughout my time of incarceration, when I started to get lonely, I would look to the moon. I found peace in knowing that my children were out there looking at the same moon I was. It was my way of feeling together with them. Something I will Never take for granted. If you are going through an incredibly difficult time, I recommend that you find “your moon.” Let it be a guiding light in addition to God. He will never leave us or forsake us.
For the rest of my life, the moon will have greater significance to me. A greater beauty. A greater peace about it. No matter what I’m going through, the moon is always there. I’m thankful and reminded of so many things each and every time I look at it. May God’s peace and love cover you all.
Love,
Derek