Celebrating a Big Win for our Team!

Posted by Lindsay Jensen and Anna Debenham, March 5, 2021

Last week, we had the honor and privilege of greeting one of our participants during her release from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Mary, one of the lovely women who served as a mentor in our group at the women's facility, was granted clemency by Governor Brown. Here was the letter we initially received from Mary with the great news:

My Friend Anna and Crew,

On Feb 10th I was the 10th female to be granted clemency. In the state of Oregon since 1859, I will be released on Feb 25th, 2021 after serving almost 9 years. I want to thank you for your support and teaching over the past 3 years.
This past year since the surgery has been really hard. Every excuse is COVID.

It has been a major disturbance to my Northern Lights* BUT like I was taught I am OK. The lights are back in line, the chickens are quiet, and I am at PEACE.

My family is ready and we have a doctor ready and waiting to help me. The blessings are mine.The immediate future could cause more disturbances. With this understanding I have of how my northern lights will align again, it's all good.

I'm excited to take the principles and this understanding I have to my family and friends. I am also going to share The Insight Alliance with Parole and Probation. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I hope everyone is ok and are thawing out. We have lost power and not been able to use the phone or tablet for two days. Praise god it's almost done. I think about the gals that are praying for release and how hard it is when someone else gets their release. These gals really need this understanding. I hope you can get back in here soon. I'm also thinking how excited I am to watch your podcasts and TEDx Talk etc.

Oh yeah here's my autograph - you made me famous too. OPB** baby!

(*Mary's reference to Northern Lights: - Mary sees her Wellbeing as the Northern Lights. Energy moving through her in all different colors.)
(**Mary was part of our OPB's Think Out Loud episode we made in prison)

Lindsay had the opportunity to catch up with Mary this week to see how she was doing. While transitioning back into her community has been challenging, especially now that she's in a wheel chair due to a botched surgery that happened while she was in prison, her Northern Lights continue to flow and bring her peace of mind. She wants everyone to know that it's possible to find your inner wisdom if you only "take a breath, have some willingness to be open, and quiet the chickens." Mary shared the example of how overwhelming it felt to navigate the grocery store, but once she slowed down and remembered it was just her thinking, all was OK. She also wanted everyone to know that being a part of our program and having personal insights has changed her life.

This is definitely a time of celebration for our team as we welcome Mary back as a neighbor in the community. We have continued to support her with basic essentials and look forward to all that's in store for her as she re-unites with her kids and grandchildren.