As I sit here in prison having lost my granny Willa Bea Pack recently, I realize I went from chasing crawdads in Dry Creek and playing the fiddle at the Jamboree as a boy to chasing money and drugs from city to city, coast to coast living a life of sin Lucifer himself is ashamed to be a part of.
Most of the pain I have inflicted has been through a life of drug and alcohol abuse causing my family great loss and pain that haunts me daily. Somehow, during my sin-filled life, I’ve held on to the root my granny planted as a seed … to love. She taught me to always get back up and embrace the struggle. I want to admit I’m still in the depths of the struggle but getting stronger each day. If tomorrow never comes, to my family I am sorry for allowing a cunning disease like addiction to win for so long. Win it will … no more.
I know my good actions will be the currency that buys trust but I’m pleading to everyone that still loves me to hang in there. My Granny told me to stay humble and never stop walking toward the light. Through God, that’s what I choose to do today.
Forgive me for all I’ve done, even if you can’t forget. I’m truly sorry for all the pain I’ve caused. I choose to be a better man than yesterday and I’m winning the battle finally.
To my boys, Dad loves you. I’m coming for y’all. Granny’s making me stronger from Heaven and tonight she’s smiling down. God told me “She’s not left y’all … but after 95 years I needed her back in Heaven where she’s from."
I still hear you Granny.

Love you, Brandon

by Brandon Baird
Smithville, TN