Edwin Rubis: Thanksgiving As An Incarcerated Cannabis Prisoner
This past Thanksgiving, Edwin Rubis shared his thoughts with us about spending another Thanksgiving behind prison walls, separated from his elderly mother, his sons, and his grandchildren:
"Ah, Thanksgiving! A glorious day when most of us decide to tackle a large, overstuffed bird and consume enough carbohydrates until Spring. Is it merely a yearly pilgrimage to the altar of turkey and all its fixings, or is it something more? For many, Thanksgiving is the Super bowl of eating, the Olympics event where the only winners are the elastic waistbands. But in the middle of cranberry chaos and inevitable post-meal coma, there's a deeper sensation and feeling that abounds: gratitude.
It's pretty funny, really, how we need a specific date in November, right before the year packs its bags, to remind us to count our blessings. Now, you might be thinking, "What could you, Edwin, possibly be grateful for?" Well, for starters, I'm not a turkey right now. Small victories, people! But jokes aside, I've had 28 Thanksgivings (in prison) to ponder this question, a quarter century plus of reflecting on life's simple, often overlooked graces. Each morning, I embrace the crisp air, a gentle reminder of a world teeming with beauty, filtering through the barred window of my living quarters, making each breath a conscious act of living. Sure, I could wallow in a sour attitude, like a forgotten beer baking in the sun. But life is less about the hand you've been dealt and more about how you play the cards, preferably with a graceful grin. It's all about perspective.
Seeing the good, even when it's hiding under a mountain of mashed potatoes. It's a process, like a caterpillar transforming, only instead of a cocoon, we're often wrapped in comfort of family (and maybe a blanket fort). So, let's not save our smiles and gratitude just for the yearly mountainous feast. Let's make every moment, every breath, a mini-thanksgiving. After all, life's too short to be anything but thankful - and to pass up that second slice of pumpkin pie. Smile, your life's worth living."
Join the fight for Edwin's freedom: istandwithedwinrubis.com
