I'm often asked what is Christmas like on death row. I imagine it is different for each person here.
Most people my age (40) have shared Christmas with their own families in ways that only parents can comprehend. It is with great sadness that
I do not have that comprehension.
There are no Christmas trees on death row. The prison has a tree each year that sits outside the visitation room that is out of reach of prisoners.
For those that are privileged enough to receive visitation, they can see the tree through the window. Those without visitors never see this tree.
I once inquired whose tree this was and was told that it was ours, the prisoners.
One thing I know for certain is no prisoner got to decorate it or to place gifts under it or to receive gifts from it. It was simply a tree that one would
see as if passing by a department store seeing a tree in the window. Did any ever think that was their tree? Not I.
Christmas takes place within our hearts and within our cells.
In places that can not be taken away- Christmas on death row takes place in cards received from those that care about us and love us.
Some decorate their cells with the cards as one would a fireplace mantel. Cards hung on pieces of bed sheet that have been made into string
and tied to the bars of steel. Some cells have many and others a few. To those that only receive a few cards I would imagine that just the simple
reminder that they are remembered and thought of is the most precious gift of all. In my years I have experienced both. At times my cell has been
covered with cards and others it was simple from family. At times even family have forgotten to post cards. Christmas has as many hurts as it does joys is what I have found. Perhaps I still view Christmas through the eyes of a child, yet it is the only way that I know how.
I exchange gifts with those that I am close to here. The gifts are simple, maybe nothing more than a bar of soap or some deodorant that can not be
purchased from the prison canteen. It might be something as extravagant as a contraband cigarette lighter or it might be just a pair of free world socks. I've found that it is just being able to give those that are close to you something unexpected...the act of sharing.
I believe that many at Christmas reflect on Christmas's of past. Remembering certain ones greater than others.
Each Christmas I to reflect on Christmas' s past. I remember those I shared with those close to me that have since been executed. I personally have been with those that knew that a certain Christmas would be their last for they knew that before then next one came they would be executed. I often find myself thinking about how many more will I actually have. I guess this is because Christmas is the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
As I await the end of this year and the beginning of the next it is my Christmas wish that whoever reads this will reflect on Christmas's past,
remembering something special from that past that brings a sense of joy to their heart. Search out an old friend and send a card letting them know that are not forgotten.
It will touch your heart as well as theirs.
Tim Davis Z-399
Cell 3-D-2
Written Christmas 2000
Two years later, Warden Culliver, the new warden, allowed a Christmas tree in the visiting room. Much to the enjoyment of prisoners, their visiting families, and especially the children.
Something to think about
Words from death row......
For a full list of articles written by Juveniles on Alabama's Death Row, go to the complete list of titles at
Stories.
