tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post4174580065271620692..comments2023-09-18T05:20:04.380-07:00Comments on PABLOg!: In Jail With PabloThe Pablove Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09033665285054064069noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-67201108478160197982009-09-05T08:38:45.868-07:002009-09-05T08:38:45.868-07:00I'm not gifted like you, Jeff. I'm sittin...I'm not gifted like you, Jeff. I'm sitting here staring at my screen and NOTHING is coming out, despite the fact that your post has my mind full of thoughts, my heart full of emotion. WOW. You are an inspiration. As Doris said in her post - word.LYNNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10050737187479283149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-30924153030452455692009-09-04T22:19:56.962-07:002009-09-04T22:19:56.962-07:00All I remember was a great young man that I knew g...All I remember was a great young man that I knew growing up and I knew he would go some where. If there is anyone who can inspire......aljav71https://www.blogger.com/profile/15784635232016663249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-53215964893031673312009-09-04T19:17:48.204-07:002009-09-04T19:17:48.204-07:00Wow. And I can't really say much more than tha...Wow. And I can't really say much more than that. One of my favorite posts since I have been reading here...not just for the writing, but for your selflessness and example. Changing peoples lives is a gift. Pablove is a gift...you are gift, Jeff.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14956072934380129488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-50587940133395159282009-09-04T13:04:55.983-07:002009-09-04T13:04:55.983-07:00OK, Jeff... I feel like your older sister (that yo...OK, Jeff... I feel like your older sister (that you never had) when I say this, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" I just finished reading what Todd added to your post...<br /><br />Your WORDS are humanizing. They have the ability to touch each and every diverse soul in this world that we live in. The true value of a life - no matter what the age - is not based on material wealth or what is produced or achieved, but rather how much love is brought forth by a life.<br /><br />You, my friend, are invaluable.Tishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-32438389808554354722009-09-04T11:40:34.421-07:002009-09-04T11:40:34.421-07:00i know everyone says that boy can write. yes you c...i know everyone says that boy can write. yes you can. but a lot of people can write, articulate, mold, connect. however, you have something more than that. You have an umphf. A raw but eloquent truth.Jen Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475918586899884392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-36885566445415271382009-09-04T11:11:31.814-07:002009-09-04T11:11:31.814-07:00you dont need any classes, your msg rang loud and ...you dont need any classes, your msg rang loud and true and of course i had tears. todds colleague with IOW, so what i think is you could be a teacher. you are what they need, and they maybe what ur pain needs. they dont mind. they dont expect you to be happy or "just get over it". they healed me. and this was just what i needed as im dealing with a young man in the camp i also teach at, and well, i wrote about pain this week because of him. but there was something missing...i just found it. thank you! the power of words...shared...is astounding and thats all we have to make sense of the tragedies we live thru. and how to make someone live forever, which is what you are doing now. its never how long a life is, but how precious the lived was...like the "jail" picture demonstrates. Precious!Robertanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-35228362595030745612009-09-04T10:37:11.861-07:002009-09-04T10:37:11.861-07:00Jeff,
Thank you for visiting the kids and thank ...Jeff, <br /><br />Thank you for visiting the kids and thank you for sharing yourself with them. Despite your pain and even the darkness you find yourself surrounded by too often, I can't imagine a better man to share his story of hope and love with kids that might not have much. Thanks for being amazing and giving back during such a difficult time. I hope it brings you some kind of peace.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08189775262548524190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-26686674944756544252009-09-04T09:55:57.369-07:002009-09-04T09:55:57.369-07:00Yes, indeed. It was powerful. Todd here, offerin...Yes, indeed. It was powerful. Todd here, offering a little more detail. When we walked in, 1/2 the unit was on lockdown. There had been 3 fights earlier in the day and the kids had been restricted to their locked cells all day and would reamain there for the night. It was now 7 o'clock and the PO in charge would not let my students out to come to class. "Sorry, you got zero kids tonight. No class", he said. I pleaded for the PO to make an exception. Out of earshot, I told him Jeff was here on a special mission. He considered it and without much hesitation, he ordered another guard to bring him the 4 boys from the class on lockdown. The boys were brought into the central command, and in front of Jeff and I were told that they didn't deserve to go to class, hadn't earned it, that they were "assholes", that he, the PO "hated" one of the kids. It was demeaning and shitty. We witnessed first hand how dehumanizing and demoralizing this environment is. He said that because we asked as a favor, he was letting the class take place. Phew. I was worried for a minute Jeff's trip would be wasted. It's happended before.<br /><br />As we walked into the room, a boy, heavily gang tatted and a real thug looked at Jeff, measured him up and calmly said, "Yo, I dig them skinny jeans, you got." Fist bump followed, easy smiles. Conversation opened, others joining in about the pattern on the pockets of Jeff's Deisels. All good. Boys were down with Jeff and his cool ass skinny Jeans. They are teenage boys, care about clothes and being cool and any attention paid to them that isn't negative. <br /><br />We sat, introduced, Jeff read a piece so powerful about Pablo experiencing internal bleeding and the decision and process of taking him home to die. Whoa. Jeff was in apparent pain as he read, struggled to keep composure to get it all out. Pauses and deep breaths. Watery eyes. Every boy in the room locked in and took the ride. As Jeff does, he reached into every person's heart and soul, grabbed their common humanity and inspired them to match his courage and honesty. And that's what happened. When Jeff was done. There was silence. What do you say? They all had plenty to say, slowly each boy thanked him, then carefully and without pretense, told their own story of loss. The first boy looked Jeff dead in the eye and told a long story of watching his grandparents, who raised him, age, fail and pass and the pain it caused him to be alone and that he had NEVER told anyone how he felt and he thanked Jeff for making him feel comfortable and safe enough for the first time in his life to share his feelings. Wow. And it didn't let up. We talked awhile and then we wrote. Jeff gave the lesson plan, which was to let them freestyle. And they shared their stories. One boy, not a great student, soso effort and tends to hold back, wrote and read a gripping story about the moment he learned his sibling had been murdered, eyes red and teary, heart on display. When he was done, he put his head down on the table and it remained there for the duration. Wiped out. This boy has 3 kids of his own, he's not yet 18, and a gang tat on his cheek. Not a teardrop, big letters forever proclaiming "where he's from". I gave him a hug after class. He thanked me for giving him the chance to get that out. He never says shit after class. For about 90 minutes it went like that. Another boy wrote about his "Uncle Dad", who was his great Uncle, who raised him, who would "beat my ass, then took me fishing." We talked about the complexity of life and unconditional love and the discipline and tough stuff that comes with it, but doesn't erase love. Uncle Dad was now dead and gone. Jeff cracked every heart in the room and started an avalanche of feelings and healing and sharing about love and loss and our commonality in the way we suffer and feel. Doesn't get deeper. Nowhere I would rather be. Thanks, Jeff. You fucking rocked it. Nice jeans, yo.Todd Rubensteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-78384381498762241712009-09-04T07:55:10.554-07:002009-09-04T07:55:10.554-07:00I first read this post in the wee hours of the mor...I first read this post in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep. As often happens, your writing gives me a sense of connectedness with "the mystery of it all" that brings me comfort and last night allowed me to sleep.<br /><br />These past few days the words "You're a good guy" have kept popping in my head. They bring me a tear and a smile. What a beautiful gift from your big brother, Scott.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-15958808876013504082009-09-04T07:50:15.235-07:002009-09-04T07:50:15.235-07:00After 17 months, this might be the most touching y...After 17 months, this might be the most touching yet. Love you Jeff.<br /><br />ashAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-5786251366987655572009-09-04T06:33:19.073-07:002009-09-04T06:33:19.073-07:00I love this piece Jeff. I do not have any words w...I love this piece Jeff. I do not have any words which could heal your pain. But, I think Pablo's short time here in this world is serving a greater purpose than we can understand. You and your family are reaching so many people all over the world who need to hear words of HOPE and LOVE.I hope your home is filled with incredible Love today<br />Be Blessed,<br />dukedukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250612809473326813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-68313424941918355782009-09-04T00:17:49.822-07:002009-09-04T00:17:49.822-07:00your writing piece: amazing. Have you ever attende...your writing piece: amazing. Have you ever attended a creative writing class? I feel like you have no need to, but it would perfect your skills and you'd be the most talented kid around.<br /><br />word.Dorisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6621529041443323750.post-35276459587049625502009-09-03T23:49:51.280-07:002009-09-03T23:49:51.280-07:00Wonderful, amazing words. As always thank you for ...Wonderful, amazing words. As always thank you for writing, for sharing such amazing thoughts with me and the world.<br /><br />PABLOVE!<br /><br />PABLO!Tiwannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13618072123976885045noreply@blogger.com