My Uncle Was Released From Prison
Most of my father’s family I do not know very well and after hearing stories about them, it’s probably good that I don’t. My father’s parents divorced right after his dad returned from the Second World War and then his mom sent him and his twin to live in an orphanage. Both people went on to remarry and raise a family with their new spouse, leaving my father parentless living in an orphanage getting occasional visits from them. I refuse to call these people my grandparents, they don’t deserve that title. Before they passed, I maybe saw them a handful of times. My dad would always say that he was glad he wasn’t raised by them and I would tend to agree.
My dad’s mom, Norma, was an insufferable bitch. She always complained about everything. In the 80’s, David Letterman would have these Holiday Film Festivals where stars would produce short films and he would play them on this show. Bette Midler did one in 1985 called Angst on a Shoestring. The very opening line was “OH GOD, and I was going to try to feel good today”. That always reminded me of her. In fact, the entire skit could have been done by her. You can watch the video here: Angst on a Shoestring
I have very few memories of Norma. When we moved from Crystal Lake, Illinois to Mesa, Arizona she rode with use on the 5 day trip. The trip was filled with mishaps and she complained about every one of them. I don’t think she stayed in Arizona long and moved back to Niles, Illinois. I remember staying with her overnight one summer and wetting the bed. I hid from her because she scared me to death. When she found what I had done, she took the pee soaked sheets and threw them at me, I think I was maybe 6 or 7, and made me wash them berating me the whole time. Now that’s not the worst thing in the world and I’m not trying to garner sympathy, just trying to paint a picture of this wretched woman.
In her second marriage, she had another child, Mark. From what I was told, she was an awful mother to him. She was physically and mentally abusive to him. He grew up and became a drummer for a mildly popular band in the Chicago area called Aureous. I have one of their albums on vinyl. I remember him coming to visit us but not much more. I always thought he was weird.
He eventually married and had some kids, they divorced, he remarried and had a few more kids. He was always a huge Christian, into MLM’s and health food. His second wife’s name was Faith. I had never met her but one day I remember my dad telling me she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mark was adamant that they treat it holistically and she agreed. Unfortunately, Faith ended up dying a horrible, painful death due to her untreated cancer. His kids blamed him and that started his downward spiral.
Norma would eventually die and when Mark received her cremated remains, he left them by the side of the dumpster, something I will never fault him for. I’m normally a caring compassionate individual and believe in treating people with dignity even in death, but she deserved what she got. I will never forgive her for what she did to my father.
So, I’m not exactly sure when, but Mark started dating a woman. According to police statements he was physically and emotionally abusive to her. And one day when she tried to leave him, he decided he wouldn’t allow it and that started what would culminate in an 8 hour police stand off with Mark holding that woman hostage with a gun to her head. I used to have an article bookmarked about it, but I can’t find it anymore. If anyone can find it, I would be forever grateful.
He served 11 years in prison and was released October of 2021. During his prison sentence, he would occasionally write my dad letters. No one ever responded, but yesterday I found his last letter to my dad and felt obligated to let him know that my mom, dad, and sister have all passed away. So, I went to the Florida State Penitentiary inmate list and found that he was released. Thankfully there was an address to where he was released to, I wrote my letter, and sent it to that address. I gave him my number for him to call or text. Maybe that was dumb, I don’t know. I know he is a product of that terrible, evil woman and maybe he just needs a second chance.