Her name is Heather, and I am a fool for how I lost her so many years ago.
My name is Nathaniel Hollett. I have been in prison for five years and every day I read the newspaper front to back. It is usually several days behind as it travels 200 miles to reach me.
Every day I read the letters column, having even written some inquiries myself. I read of our economy, our president, the wars in our world and the opinions and expressions of the perspectives our community has in living our day to day lives. Today I must express my own feelings.
Our world undoubtedly is suffering, and Heather's thoughts bring me comfort. There is always that to which will cause fear, more-so as time progresses, yet thinking her name gives me hope. When all in my eyes around me are dark shades of gray, I picture her face and things again become brighter.
So many years ago I let go of the things that truly mattered, placing my concerns toward matters that had no substantial relevance in my life. In this loss, I took from myself this woman, Heather, as well as my family and my freedom. I feel that loss every day. I hope to speak to all else.
We concern ourselves with life's happenings on terms of those things out of our reach and beyond individual limit. While I'm not saying these matters are not important. I merely say this: Look at what is right in front of you, the love that surrounds you. Before directing your energy and life into that which one can not control, know that at any moment, that to which we do have sometimes becomes sidelined. It can be taken too at any moment. Hold on to it. Make that your concern. Every day, tell the ones you love how much you really care. Never neglect the opportunity to be there for the things in life that make you most happy.
I only wish I had taken my own advice all those years ago. I owe every member of the Warsaw community a sincere apology, and I truly am sorry. I owe my family so much for supporting me and I long for the chance to repay them, and I owe this woman, Heather, an apology and a gracious thanks.
Heather will never know how deeply it pains me for what I did and how I lost her, as she can never understand my gratitude for opening my eyes to life and building change in my heart.
For today, I speak to everyone. Hold tight to what is dear to you. There's tomorrow to worry about the rest, and if tomorrow never comes, what truly is important, truly mattered today.
