Hi everyone,

I received some sad news last week, and it is only just now that I can bear to write it-

I have been corresponding with a man in Polunsky for just over three years. In that time we have developed a platonic, caring friendship. He always shows me such kindness, and is truly a good friend. Unfortunately, I sometimes become overwhelmed by his situation- the reality of the torture he faces each day hits me hard and I am unable to deal with it and I don't write as often as I feel I would like to. I am not sure if anyone here ever feels that way- It's just too painful to deal with at times.

Well- last week I received news from another of his penpals- he has been given an execution date. This sick form of 'justice' will take place on May 3rd. I have so many feelings- guilt because I have trouble dealing, incredible sadness because I will miss him terribly, sympathy for his family, sympathy for his other penpal, anger because I HATE the Death Penalty, and a loss of hope that one day he will feel the grass under his feet or hold his grandchildren.

Friends, can you please hold Lonnie up in prayer- please pray for his family and for Lynn, his other pen pal. She has experienced the pain of losing a friend in this way, and it hurts me so badly that she will have to go through it again. She has been a wonderful friend to him, and I know he loves her dearly.

Thank you my PTO friends. Much love, Kerrie

I will keep everyone in my prayers.
I am sorry that anyone has to go through this.

Pauline

you and Lonnie and his family and friends are all in my prayers. I am so sick of texas, death row and the inhumane way these poor souls are treated.

I am so sorry that you all have to go through this. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you all very much- it helps to be able to share this with people who understand.

Oh Kerrie I am so sorry sweetie. :( You are such a kind-hearted person, so I know how much this must hurt. Lonnie and you and his other friend will be in my prayers...I do hope it doesn't happen. :( Big hugs, hun. :grouphug:

((((((hugs)))))))
You are all in my thoughts and prayers :(

We are here for you and stand by you both and as group we make you stronger! Your in our thoughts!

This is so sad. Lonnie is a lovely guy. I had the pleasure of two visits with him a couple of weeks ago. He has a wonderful sense of humour and a very disarming smile!

Texas is just outdoing itself at the moment!

Sending kind thoughts to you and Lynn.
Rach x :)

so sad! your friend and his family are in our prayers and thoughts and so are you!
God has a much better world for him .
Truly Patty

Kerrie

I'm truly really sorry !!! :( I will keep you, Lonnie his family and friends in my thoughts.

(((HUGS)))

Phil :(

Thank you everyone. He has told me that when the time comes he is ready to go- and I know he is...it's just so far beyond my comprehension that something like this can happen.

Ladyarkles, I am so glad you got to see him, unfortunately we have never met (since I am in Australia), but I know that he is a very good hearted man.

Don't give up on him yet! You sound like he is already dead. Never give up untill it's over.

(((HUGS))) I'm really sorry, I will pray for you, Lonnie and his family and friends.

Kerrie
(((huge hugs))). I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, I will pray for Lonnie, his family and friends, and hope there is a positive outcome. I am dealing with some issues from there (Polunsky), to. The death penalty I can never understand, the way Texas uses it, just sickens me.
If you want to talk, PM me your number ok, and I will call you. We at PTO are all here to help you get through this, and I am here if you want to talk.
(((((hugs))))) I am in shock!!

Don't give up on him yet! You sound like he is already dead. Never give up untill it's over.

I haven't given up on him, of course I am hoping for some sort of miracle- when I wrote the initial post I was upset and feeling a little overwhelmed. You are right, Schmusi- it's not over yet. Thank you for the gentle reminder. :)

Kyla, thanks so much for your kind words, sending hugs your way. You know my thoughts on Polunsky and the death penalty :mad:

To everyone else who has replied, I thank you. This is why I love PTO so much.

I Will Also Keep Them In My Prayers...

I too am sitting here with tears in my eyes reading this post....I am sending you and Lonnie and his family love and light and am thinking of you all at this difficult time. There are no words to make sense of what Texas or any other state with the death penalty is doing and for as long as this horrendous practice of 'justice' continues, the pain will continue to affect so many. All we can do is send love and positive thoughts to anybody going through this and hope that one day there will come a time when nobody else has to go through this...
Thinking of you all....

Oh Kerrie I am so sorry to hear this. I have two friends on death row and at the back of my mind the thought that it could one day come to this is always nagging. My prayers are with Lonnie and his family. It just reminds me how disgusting and inhuman the death penalty is.

Many hugs and strength to you and indeed don't give up!!

[/url]You and Lonnie and his family and friends and everyone like you are constantly in my thoughts. I am so sick of this uncivilised judicial murder, death row and the inhumane, uncivilised and brutal way we as a society seek revenge. Doesn't it trouble the politicians in this country how the rest of the civilised world looks at us? I admire you for having deathrow penpals...I think I would find it emotionally too heartbreaking.[url="http://%5B"] (http://%5B)

Hi. *Huge hugs* I am also tears in my eyes - this feels so sad each time...
I will have you and Lonnie, and his loved ones on my thoughts.
We just have to wish and hope for better day without DP.
Never give up from hope.

oh my goodness you are all in my thought and prayer. i know that this is hard. i am engaged to a man on death row and i cant even begin to imagine the pain that this "non sense justice" will put them thru. it hurts me just to think about it. youre all in my thoguhts and prayers.

Kerrie:
Please tell Lonnie that there are many who are praying for him and his family. I understand that with the conditions at Polunsky, he may feel "ready". But he is one of God's children and this should not happen to him. I will pray for him, and my little boy who is only two and learning to pray will say a prayer for him too.

I would like to thank everyone who has sent their good wishes and prayers. The fact that I can post on here and find understanding and compassion is a blessing. For those of you with loved ones on the row, I wish the best for you and your partners.

I am writing to Lonnie right now, and sending on your good wishes and prayers.

I pray for peace and comfort in your time of need.I'm sorry to hear this.May God Bless

Kerrie,

I am soo sorry that I am catching this so late. Sometimes stuff just slips right by me! I am thinking of you and Lonnie and has family and friends as well.
I love PTO for just the same reasons that you expressed. I can come here and talk to all of you, and you understand.
Know that if you need me, you know where to find me!!
:grouphug:
Take care sweetie!!

Theresa

Many prayers for Lonnie......

Of course I will pray for Lonnie, and Lynn and you. Know that you have made a positive impact on his life and given him happiness.

God bless,
Julie

Kerri
Lonny will be in my prayers and his loved ones, and family. I know excatly what you are going through, there are days when I get a letter from my guy on DR and it just makes me so sad, it will drain me emotionally. Its a very rough road to take a journey on, but its much harder for them. But just by being there for him you are making a huge difference, and that outways all the negative .

Prayers are with you.