I learned of my Aunt Libby’s passing two weeks ago and the news did not come easily to me. She came to Asheville, NC the same year that I did- for me to begin my adult life as a college freshman and her to end hers. She moved to an assisted living facility there that offered end-of-life care. The serendipity of this still baffles and amazes me. We spent countless hours together throughout the eleven years that we shared a zip code and she served as my primary family support throughout my twenties. I have been reflecting a lot on our time together and attempting to hold onto the lovely memories of her that I hope to cherish for a lifetime. I want to introduce her to you as a way to honor her.

Aunt Libby was a champion for justice in some large and in some small ways. She advocated for the marginalized, tithed countless dollars to charities, and kept up fervently with current events. For more than a decade, Aunt Libby had a pen pal who was not only incarcerated but also on death row. As Aunt Libby got older and was less able to do the things that she was formerly able to do, I visited her more frequently and helped her do many things. One of these activities was helping her keep up with her correspondence. I would sit at a small writing desk for hours and write letter after letter as she dictated what she wanted written. I wrote many times on Aunt Libby’s behalf to her incarcerated pen pal, who was sentenced to die and was waiting out her final days. I feel as though I got to know this woman through both reading her letters that she diligently wrote Aunt Libby and through the dictation help that I transcribed in response.

On Monday night at the Art and Spirituality group at the prison I thought a lot about Aunt Libby’s pen pal. As I watched the woman sitting next to me make a Halloween card for her granddaughter I thought about the tremendous influence that correspondence with the outside world must have for folks who are locked up. With virtually every sense diminished and familiarity a rarity, to receive a card or a letter from someone outside the prison walls must mean the world to someone on the inside. This reflection led me to think more deeply about the subtleties of my own privilege to be in communication with the ones that I love, when I want to be in contact with them- a privilege that those who are incarcerated simply do not have.

Aunt Libby’s diligence in keeping up with her pen pal modeled for me the power of standing in love and compassion with another across time and space barriers. Although I cannot give the women a part of Art and Spirituality anything tangible, I do believe that by simply showing up with a non-judgmental presence, just as Aunt Libby showed up for her pen pal through cards and letters, I can help be a bridge to the outside world and be a witness to the innate goodness in all humanity. What bridges do you build across time and space barriers?

– Liana Johannaber, Nov. 2, 2014