RC JOURNAL
THE RC JOURNAL
Reflections, Realities & Journeys
Welcome to my Journal
Welcome to the heart of RC Journey’s insights and explorations. This is where every reflection, every reality, and every triumph finds its home. Here, you’ll find a complete collection of my articles, spanning the breathtaking beauty of America’s natural landscapes and the often-unseen complexities of returning citizen reentry.
Dive in to explore profound contemplations on freedom inspired by the wild, honest discussions about the systemic hurdles and personal journeys of coming home, and powerful stories of resilience from individuals navigating life after incarceration. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, understanding, or simply a moment of shared reflection, this is your central hub for all things RC Journey.
Antisocial Media: The Overwhelming Weight of Love
A friend once warned me the hardest part of reentry wouldn’t be finding a job, but managing the expectations of others. After 24 years of isolation, I’m now drowning in a digital ocean of well-intentioned love, fielding 500 notifications a day across ten platforms. This is the story of the overwhelming weight of connection and the critical need to set boundaries to survive freedom.
Beyond the Gate: The Unseen Timelines of Reconnecting
Explore the challenges and strategies in Navigating Reentry Relationships after incarceration and rebuild a fulfilling life.
Dinner at the Edge of Time
I’m trying to remember the last dinner I shared with my family over twenty years ago. The heavy silence is broken only by the “Tick. Tick. Tick…” of the clock. In this memory, my parents are “ghosts who don’t realize what they are”, the drink on the table changes from milk to water and back again, and shadows swallow the scene “like an eclipse”. If I had known someone at that table would be dead within a week, perhaps I would have paid more attention.
First Night: Stepping Through the Gate
After 8,760 days, freedom wasn’t a destination; it was a disorienting journey that began with a single step. One moment, I was saying goodbye to a life defined by gray walls and razor wire; the next, I was navigating a world of smartphones, self-checkouts, and choices I hadn’t faced in 24 years. This is the unfiltered story of that first night.
First Week: Learning to Navigate Two Worlds
After 24 years of incarceration, my first week of freedom was a journey through time. From the surreal victory of ordering a pizza with an app to the powerful, tearful reunions with family I hadn’t touched in decades, this is the story of navigating a world that had become alien and finding my place in it once more.
Grand Teton: Towers of Freedom, Depths of Reflection
Reflecting on reentry and resilience at Grand Teton National Park offers a powerful perspective on personal growth and nature.