Hold Fast Hope

Over Christmas, I watched Shawshank Redemption. Twice. Because it is amazing.

And this section of the film always rings so true for me. The world is, as a rule, a bit crap. Not to draw any comparisons with prison, because I haven't actually ever been in a penitentiary. But to draw a really obvious tenuous link, one thing the world cannot take from us is hope.

To quote Thrice again, probably for the billionth time:

My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through.

Identity

I've been keeping a wary eye on the case of Jon Venables, the killer of Jamie Bulger, and how he has been reincarcerated for a crime that cannot be divulged to the public.

Interestingly, Jamie Bulger's mother wants to know details of his most recent crime. Aside from the fact that the law protects us, and him, from such information being released, I really don't. Admittedly, I'm not someone who has been hurt by him in the past, but even if I was, I have no idea why I would want to stir up such hurt again.

I worry that if she or we were to find out, it would be used to justify an ongoing campaign of hatred against him. Yes, he's a criminal, but that's why he's been sent back to prison. Let the justice system do its job, and we, as a society need to learn to forgive.

Yes, forgive him.

Answers on a postcard.