Finally, to Sam, my third-time’s-a-charm husband who shows me every day just how magical and exhilarating steady love and support can be. You make me feel safe. You make me feel loved. You adore me at my quirkiest, and support every single crazy idea I’ve ever had. You have no idea what a gift you are just by being next to me.

There is freedom in owning all the parts of me—the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. I made the conscious choice to create an identity out of the worst things ever said about me, and now I choose differently. It was always my choice.

I have done lots of good in my life, and I have also done lots of bad. One doesn’t negate the other. And the truth is, I don’t believe the worst thing I have ever done is found in the stealing or lying or drug abuse. The worst thing I’ve ever done is build an identity out of the worst thing I’ve ever done. I’ve condemned others for not being able t

charm husband who shows me every day just how magical and exhilarating steady love and support can be. You make me feel safe. You make me feel loved. You adore me at my quirkiest, and support every single crazy idea I’ve ever had. You have no idea what a gift you are just by being next to me.

Because how we take care of broken people matters. Fundamentally, I believe, it determines our own humanity.

I have done lots of good in my life, and I have also done lots of bad. One doesn’t negate the other. And the truth is, I don’t believe the worst thing I have ever done is found in the stealing or lying or drug abuse. The worst thing I’ve ever done is build an identity out of the worst thing I’ve ever done. I’ve condemned others for not being able t

“Sometimes a part of our soul fractures off. It can happen in early childhood or during trauma. I can go in and retrieve it.”

versions of me I have been, and all the many lives I have lived.

This innocent man who spent thirty years on death row teaches me as much about forgiveness as Archbishop Tutu. They both suffered and they both let it ennoble them rather than embitter them.