Salvation on Death Row by John T. Thorngren

Salvation on Death Row by John T. Thorngren

Author:John T. Thorngren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KiCam Projects
Published: 2017-09-23T17:25:23+00:00


CHAPTER 13

Not all good comes free of the bad, and not all bad comes free of the good. A miracle did take place before the bad part of my trial. Christina and her husband asked me if I would like them to bring Joseph to Texas to live in their home. After I readily responded, “Yes,” we asked Joseph the same question as we all gathered in the visiting room. I will never forget his reply, “You don’t want to miss me anymore, do you, Mom?” Then he turned to Christina, “I knew I had a momma, and I’ve been waiting for her to come get me.”

Joseph returned with the rest of the family before formal testimony, but when he came back to Texas, through the action of the courts, I now had another mom. I had two before then: my biological mom, Wuanita, long passed away, and my stepmom, Helen. My third mom, Christina, is my adopted mom. She and her husband legally adopted me so they could raise Joseph as their grandson. Joseph would still be my son and would be living in Texas near me. I thought my heart would burst with joy.

My dad and Helen were not happy with this new arrangement. I can understand, because Joseph was a sweet and loveable child. But he was my son, and it was my decision. I knew he would have a better life in Texas than with them. My insight was correct; Joseph has grown into a straight and righteous Christian man.

Joseph’s new grandparents, Christina and her husband, arranged a medical correction for his limp. They sent him to the best of private schools, then to Baylor University, and finally to Texas A&M, from which he received his college degree. Joseph is one hundred percent “straight arrow,” as they say in Texas. He doesn’t smoke or drink, is married with a family, and best of all, he is a good Christian man. My spirit quivers when I think about what might have happened to him if it hadn’t been for Christina. Christina is the God-woven, golden thread that borders the tapestry of my life.

“My life is just a weaving,” a tapestry woven by God, as taken from the poem “The Weaver.”(59)

The Weaver, Verse I

My life is just a weaving

Between my Lord and me.

I cannot change the color

For He works most steadily.

My blanket started out as a dog’s blanket—dirty, frayed, and full of ticks and fleas—but now that I am redeemed, it has been made new and made whole. I wrote this poem for Christina one Mother’s Day.

Christina

A Mother’s Day Poem

Pamela Perillo

I praise you on this Mother’s Day

For all that you have done

Choosing me and Joseph

We knew you were the one

Mothers usually shop for kids

With smiles all aglow

Christina went against the grain

And took one from Death Row

Joseph only six years old

Not knowing what was wrong

Your loving arms around him

He knew where he belonged

You raised him up and on your own

Today an Aggie man

He’s all grown-up and



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