“It’s all about Him”
The phone rang today and it was my friend Joyce Watkins. I have known Joyce since the mid 1990’s. Our first meeting was in a class that I was teaching in the Tennessee Prison for Women called the “Creative Women’s Class”. I was a volunteer at the Prison and my first position was to help women who were reading on the first or second grade level. I’ve always loved journal writing and know that it is a valuable tool in the toolbox for solving problems, so I asked the principal of the school at the prison if I could teach a journal writing class and I was given permission to have this class once a week. Joyce was assigned to my class by the English teacher in the school. This was the beginning of a 30 year friendship. All the while she was in prison we wrote letters back and forth and she sent me several crossstitch works of her art.
Over the years she was always encouraging and sent me letters that kept me thinking that I could be an artist and that my purpose in life was to continue with my art. Her famous line in each letter was, “It’s all about Him”. She kept me grounded in the true mission of my art. Joyce said, “He always stand by His people. So prayers do be answered if you ask in His name. Just remember to ask in His name, just remember to keep Him first, and things will work out fine, it’s all about Him.”
After serving 27 years in prison she was released. During her last few months she began the process of seeking exoneration for a crime she had not committed. I never asked her what she was convicted of and she never told me; that lack of information helped us be good friends over the years and now I know the truth. She was wrongly convicted of murder and rape. She was never bitter, angry or resentful. Joyce is an example of forgiveness and courage in the face of horrific injustice. She is truly amazing and I am grateful to call her my friend.
The Tennessee Innocence Project took on her case to right the wrong she had suffered for 27 years. I have learned much from Joyce. She is a blessing to me that I have no way to describe. We are better friends today than ever and I hear her voice saying, “It’s all about Him”.
Enjoy Life and Art,
Rita