"Every sin is a variation of theft"

I few weeks ago, I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I devoured the story in a little under 10 hours, frequently pausing on my bunk to cry (discreetly, mind you) or contemplate the central theme of redemption. I don't think I've ever had a book bring me to tears, but this one coaxed them with ease on many occasions.

One passage, early in the story struck me as something I had never considered before. Amir is talking to his father, "Baba", about the Mullah at his school, wrestling with the concept of sin. Baba tells him "No matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft." Later he continues, "When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness."

I immediately cast this light on my own life and my crime. When I assaulted my wife and threatened her, I stole her dignity and her safety. I took away the very core of the promise I had made to her almost 14 years ago. I am deeply ashamed and sorry for stealing these things from her.

Introduction

I'm not sure I will be able to cover everything that has happened to date that I need to, but I will at least attempt to start.

I am a convicted felon serving a sentence for crimes of domestic violence.  I make no excuses for my actions, nor do I attempt to diminish the severity or seriousness of my crimes.  I have no prior convictions, not even a major traffic violation.  I do not have a history of violence.  The crimes I am convicted of were the first I ever perpetrated against my wife in our 13 years of marriage.  I am filled with remorse and sadness for the manner in which I reacted to the situation I was in.  Wrestling with the guilt and pain for the events of the past few months is a daily struggle.

With this journal, I hope to effectively share my experiences and memories.  I will record my thoughts on current challenges and openly dig and sift through the past to perhaps expose the events and circumstances that brought me here.

If anyone happens upon this blog, I am sure I will be read by visitors with both disdain and doubt, perhaps even a few with empathy.  Regardless of the comments or review, I will always be truthful, open and sincere in my writing.  This is my opportunity to learn from my mistakes,  capture the journey and hopefully end up with an expansive document I can always reflect on.  Maybe a reader will learn something about themselves along the way and correct their own course.