A LETTER FROM JIM

~Pau Lian

JAMES FOLEY'S FINALWORDS HOME

Dear Family and Friends,

I remember going to the Mall with Dad, a very long bike ride with Mom. I remember so many great family times that take me away from this prison. Dreams of family and friends takeme away and happiness fills my heart.I know you are thinking of me and praying forme. And I am so thankful. I feel you allespecially when I pray. I pray for you to staystrong and to believe. I really feel I can touchyou even in this darkness when I pray.Eighteen of us have been held together in onecell, which has helped me. We have had eachother to have endless long conversationsabout movies, trivia, sports. We have playedgames made up of scraps found in our cell…we have found ways to play checkers, Chess,and Risk… and have had tournaments ofcompetition, spending some days preparingstrategies for the next day’s game or lecture.The games and teaching each other havehelped the time pass. They have been a hugehelp. We repeat stories and laugh to breakthe tension.

I have had weak and strong days. We are sograteful when anyone is freed; but of course,yearn for our own freedom. We try toencourage each other and share strength. Weare being fed better now and daily. We havetea, occasional coffee. I have regained mostof my weight lost last year.

I think a lot about my brothers and sister. Iremember playing Werewolf in the dark withMichael and so many other adventures. Ithink of chasing Mattie and T around thekitchen counter. It makes me happy to thinkof them. If there is any money left in my bankaccount, I want it to go to Michael andMatthew. I am so proud of you, Michael andthankful to you for happy childhoodmemories and to you and Kristie for happyadult ones.

And big John, how I enjoyed visiting you andCress in Germany. Thank you for welcomingme. I think a lot about RoRo and try toimagine what Jack is like. I hope he hasRoRo’s personality!

And Mark… so proud of you too Bro. I think ofyou on the West coast and hope you aredoing some snowboarding and camping, Iespecially remember us going to the ComedyClub in Boston together and our big hugafter. The special moments keep me hopeful.Katie, so very proud of you. You are thestrongest and best of us all!! I think of youworking so hard, helping people as a nurse. Iam so glad we texted just before I wascaptured. I pray I can come to yourwedding…. now I am sounding like Grammy!!Grammy, please take your medicine, takewalks and keep dancing. I plan to take youout to Margarita’s when I get home. Staystrong because I am going to need your helpto reclaim my life.

~Jim

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