Bernard Kerik Thank You for the Christmas Gifts

doingtimewithbernie
December 23, 2014

Bernard Kerik, thank you for the Christmas Gifts. Christmas 2010, 2011 and 2012 were spent remembering my then Pal, inmate Bernard Kerik 84888-054. I spent a good deal of my Christmas writing, editing, creating Christmas cards, driving through snow storms to mail them, commissary refills, waiting for phone calls, writing letters, buying magazines to send and happily disappointing family and friends’ Christmas celebrations to rearrange my schedule for that all important Christmas visit.

It was my pleasure and choice to serve inmate Bernie Kerik back then. Anyone who has read this blog knows he was simply manipulating me for my work, money and affection. However, in my recovery from Bernie’s evil motivations, I have discovered Bernie Kerik did leave me with some gifts.

This is the small blue Christmas tree I lit for Bernie each Christmas. Yes, it’s blue. He was depressed over losing his career. At Christmas I sent him a hard copy of it lit each night so he would have hope to remember the good things he’s done in his life.

Hope NYPD Blue Christmas tree www.DoingTimeWithBernie.com

It’s no coincidence this years little blue tree is upended with all the disunity Bernard Kerik has created with his forceful and raging media rants. It’s sad, really. Inmate Bernard Kerik was humble, thoughtful and more self-aware. I do not know the monster we’ve seen on FoxNews and CNN recently.

Instead I choose to remember the families of Officers Ramos and Liu whose tragic assassination and passing  hopefully will return the legacy of our Christmas hearts. All first responders sacrifice for their profession. It is accepted every day they leave roll call. In spite of those who lack it, I remain: Respect. Honor. Trust. Loyalty. 
Rest in Peace Liu and Ramos www.DoingTimeWithBernie.com
I also waited in that Christmas-time visit line with so many others, especially children waiting to see their inmate. I heard the frustration of their voices about money, lack of phone minutes, cranky kids who have been in the car for hours riding to see their Daddy in prison; All which really screamed, “I miss you, I love you. Why are you in prison away from those you love at Christmas?”, Here’s to all those inmates’ families who miss their loved ones with the unconditional love that just sees their Christmas hearts and not their crimes.
Bernard Kerik hand-written letter Miss you www.DoingtimeWithBernie.com

Bernie also gave me the gift of remembering those who have passed. This year, many families are missing someone forever at their table. I remember Eric Garner, Mike Brown and all family and friends who missing their loved ones.

Merry Christmas…Pray. Peace. Humanity. Love. Unity….All Lives Matter….. It’s my “Grown Up Christmas Wish”  this year
Grown-Up Christmas List  – Amy Grant
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I’m all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I’m not a child, but my start still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list