Hi,
I am new here, and just looking for support. I have a good friend on GA's death row. We've only been writing letters back and forth for a little over a month, but I am fully involved, emotionally. Maybe too much so. Just looking for others in the same situation

you are gonna find alot of support here.I want to welcome you. I totally understand how it is to be involved . My husband is on death row in Alabama. I wish you the best of luck. And you can pm me anytime to talk about anything. Good luck!!!!!

Welcome !!!

I don't know how someone can be a pen pal, particularly to a person on DR, and NOT get emotionally involved. I'm sure those types exist, but I'm not one of them (sometimes I wish I could be because there's always pain that goes along with all the good stuff). To get to know someone on a personal level, to tell them things & have them tell you things that perhaps others don't know and certainly don't understand, to really make oneself vulnerable ... it's EMOTIONAL.

It's also very frustrating to be in our situation & have no one to talk to about it. I mean, your average person on the street does not understand why we do what we do and, quite frankly, thinks we're crazy. So this is a good place to talk to others who can relate.

Again, welcome.

A very warm welcome to the PTO family and to the DP forums. You will find alot of Love and Support here.
I am happy that you have found us, just take your shoes off and make yourself at home.....:)

softie :wave:

Welcome to PTO. There is a great group of people here.

Thanks for the welcomes! I'm really glad I found this place. I have no one to talk to about my friend, so I finally found a safe place!
I have had some serious problems with telling people in my life about my friend, everything from astonishment to rage. Not one positive remark. It makes me really sad... How much do you all tell about your inmate to people?

Welcome, welcome, welcome! :)

Welcome to PTO!

Welcome Liberaldog... I think you will find exactly what you are looking for right here. I know I started writing my d/r pen friend thinking I was going to be able to cheer him up. Never in a million years would I have guessed what I had coming. I am so thankful for his friendship and everything he has given to me in the way of being here for me like no one ever has. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to pm me anytime.

Liberaldog ... I know EXACTLY what you mean. People give you the evil eye, are astonished, are outraged and/or want to call the men with straight-jackets to get you when you reveal information about your pen pal. I just don't want to deal with that cr*p.

I actually kept info about my pp among me and two or three close friends/family members for quite a long time. It was hard to do because this guy had become such an important and positive part of my life. When he & I made plans for me to visit him, that's when I told others, but only on a "need-to-know" basis. I have actually been pleasantly surprised by the response ... even my mom is okay with it (or seems to be).

So, long story short, I have been surprised by the responses of those closest to me ... they've been supportive, I think because they KNOW me. It's those who don't know me very well that get wiggy about it. :rolleyes: And who needs those types, right? :D

Shimmer-you're mom is ok with it? You are lucky. I just mentioned that I had a penpal on death row and she got all teary and started saying things like 'they are just out to scam you', and I was being ridiculous. She is honestly, totally worried about the situation. That was a few weeks ago, now she won't even bring it up.

Unfortunately, most of my friends are conservative Bush-loving Republicans, and all ready don't 'get' me because of my liberal views. I think telling any of them would throw them over the edge. I did tell my ex-boyfriend, and he was somewhat supportive, saying I was doing a nice thing, but be careful. That is the closest to a positive remark that I have had.
I want to be able to talk about it to anyone and everyone, but it seems the repercussions are too great. It's very sad.

Well, off to check the mailbox...Im expecting a letter from my guy :)

Yeah, I think it's generally best to keep the info to oneself unless you really trust the other person. Although I understand wanting to talk about it with anyone & everyone because it becomes NORMAL to us. I have to remind myself that it is NOT mainstream ... most people find it odd and probably disturbing. That's okay. It's not like someone else's opinion is going to change my actions (at this point anyway).

Maybe that's why my mom seems relatively supportive ... she knows I'm going to do what I want to do. But she also knows I'm smart about it & wouldn't unnecessarily put myself at risk.

I also hear ya about being liberal in a neo-con world. It's pretty lonely being a Democrat in Nebraska. In fact, they spray for Democrats around here. :D

:wave: :yes: Hi and welcome to PTO. What you are doing is a very nice thing. May God bless you for it. Everyone needs a friend one that won't pass judgment on him. You hang in there and be strong for him God Bless Both of You!

Welcome to PTO family... You have find a place with lots of love and support. I am writing with 4 inmates and two of them are on deathrow. Pto has helped me alot during hard times. Enjoy your friendship and merry X-mas.

Well since I wrote this in September, a lot has happened! We are now officially a couple! I went and visited him two weeks ago, and it sealed our relationship. I had no idea going into this penpal thing that this would ever happen, but it did! No looking back now! We are hopelessly in love, and we are both happy as can be! I get 6 letters a week from him, and Im going down for a second visit in just over a month. I just came across this old post of mine and wanted to update everyone on whats been happening!

Congratulations that is wonderful news!!!

Congrats to you!!! I finally told my boss that I write inmates told her about all three the lifer the longterm and my DR pal of course this was after she told me her hubby to be just got out of jail. It's amazing how much you find out about someone when you give them rides home from work. I have to say it was quite a relief to tell someone and not fear the usual reactions. My pal is always telling me to open up more to him, and I know he will accept me no matter what I tell him. I wish you all the best in your relationship :)

welcome to pto my hun is on death row too

:thumbsup:Hi ya
ive been writing to my dr inmate from GA for 3 years now if you ever wanna chat pm
respect
shazHi,
I am new here, and just looking for support. I have a good friend on GA's death row. We've only been writing letters back and forth for a little over a month, but I am fully involved, emotionally. Maybe too much so. Just looking for others in the same situation