3 Caring Ways to Show Love This Holiday Season
décembre 12, 2019
The holidays are the perfect time to spread hope and cheer and connect with loved ones… But it’s important to remember that there are many ways to show love, other than giving physical gifts. This year, consider trying one (or all) of the following suggestions:
- Service Acts – Expressing love in this way isn’t the same as a physical gift like buying a pair of earrings in a store. However, love can be expressed through a physical act such as:
- Assisting with home chores or basic needs.
- Running errands for someone in need.
- Attending court hearings with your inmate.
- Helping your loved one reconnect to their life post-release, such as finding work and a place to live.
- Quality Time – Visiting with your loved one is an essential way to stay connected, especially during this time apart. But getting that one-on-one time can be challenging when there’s distance between you. Luckily, quality time is more than just spending time in each other’s presence. For instance, you can give your loved one your undivided attention via:
- A phone call.
- An in-person visit or video visit.
- A sentimental message.
- Words of Encouragement – Some of the best gifts come from the support of others. It just makes people feel good. So, if you have an encouraging message for someone, don’t hesitate to share it with them. It could be:
- Something you appreciate about them.
- Sharing a life experience.
- Spreading gratitude.
What Are You Thankful For?
Last month, we asked our Family & Friends customers what they are thankful for and received a ton of encouraging responses. We want to spread the word to help others who may be needing extra love and support during the holidays. Some examples of what other people have shared are:
« I’m Thankful I’m lucky enough to have the all the wonderful people I have in my life. I’m Thankful each day I wake up and I’m able to go to work. I’m Thankful for the roof over my head the food in my fridge ,the gas in my car, There are so many things I could say I’m Thankful for I’m truly blessed! » – Marie, Trumble County Jail, OH
« I am very thankful for my family! My husband, kids, and grandkids. Although my husband is incarcerated, we are thankful we will eventually spend the rest of our lives together. This is a learning experience for both of us to never take a day for granted and be thankful for even the little things! » – Kelly, Branchville Correctional Facility, IN
« Although I miss my daughter deeply, I am thankful that « this too shall pass ». I am deeply grateful that she
is still alive. Although I cannot hold her today – I will hold her again one day. This is not the end, as it could have been. This is her chance at a new beginning. She will prevail!! » – Melissa, Marysville Reformatory for Women, OH
« I am thankful for being able to connect with my husband without the stress of collect calls. Gtl makes me feel better about the process of dealing with a incarcerated loved one. It helps me to keep up with his safety and well-being. I am grateful and thankful for such a convenient service. » – Zakeeyah, Warren Correctional Institution, NC
« I am thankful for my sobriety and the life I am achieving today. I am so thankful to have my kids back and my family back in my life. » – Toni, NCCF, CA
« I’m thankful to have made It through such a tough time with my husband being away and still being able to communicate and have such a strong bond. So many people give up and I think it’s important to remember the love through hard times and to remember that everybody makes mistakes. » – Niasha, SCI Quehanna, PA
« I am thankful for my family, cause they’re alive, I’m alive and my husband is alive even if he’s in jail and he is living a difficult moment. I believe that he will get the chance to choose the a new life following the right path and I hope that this moment of sadness and pain will make him stronger » – Martina, Pre Trial Detention Center Miami, FL
« There’s so much that I’m thankful for… that I can keep in touch with family members that are away and we can communicate through Gtl ConnectNetwork is a Blessing to our families. God has been so good to us and I wanna say thank you so much for ConnectNetwork.When I’m down I reach out to my emails. » – Janice, SCI Fayette, PA
« I’m thankful for being able to hear my son voice. I’m thankful for a roof over my head, clothes on my back and being able to do for myself… My grandbabies.. my daughter’s and my health and that Allah protection is with my family. » – Chernelle, White Mountain, TN
« I am thankful for technological advances that allow me more ways to stay in contact and show support and love for my incarcerated love. Incarceration doesnt make a person less worthy of love. In fact they need constant uplifting to make it through and GTL has been amazing » – Erin, Western Illinois Correctional Center, IL
« I’m thankful that although my son is locked up we are able to stay in touch by phone and have video visits. My son now has options to listen to music and see movies which keeps his spirits up around this time of year when he is missing family. » – Winona, Putnamville Correctional Facility, IN
« All though it has been one of my roughest years to date, I am so thankful for this site!!! You guys help me to be able to keep in touch with the love of my life and my best friend! He has always been my strength and support! It’s been hard having him away from us but you make it much easier! Thanks » – Kristen, Winnebago County Jail, IL
« I’m thankful for Gtl having a service that let’s me communicate with the woman I love so much. Being able not hear her or see her in presence but being able to hear voice is magical to me. This network gives me the ability to still tell her I love her and need her in my life forever. » – Coley, Allegheny County Jail, PA
« Having a husband incarcerated is a struggle everyday on the wife and family. So I am very thankful for the connect app, that we can message and call. It gives us hope, faith, way to stay connected no matter what. I’m thankful for many things in life, but at the moment that is on my top list. » – Lisa, Branchville Correctional Facility, IN
« For ConnectNetwork. I have been separated from my brother for 43 years, now we can communicate daily if necessary. » – Debra, Huntingdon County Prison, PA
« I am thankful for the peace I have in my mind and heart every evening that I am able to hear his voice even if it’s only by phone. I never imagined I would be thankful for phone calls that cost a small fortune… but they mean the world to me. » – Stephany, Northwestern Adult Detention Center, VA
« I am thankful I still get to communicate with my husband. Hearing his voice reminds me everything will be ok. » – Clarissa, Wasco State Prison, CA
« Thankful for the GTL services I don’t know how I would have been able to stay sane without hearing his vouce » – Cyndel, Colordo Department of Corrections, CO
« Being a mother of an incarcerated son is not easy at all. I miss him everyday. What gets me through it is being able to talk to him because as long as I get to hear his voice I’ll be okay. For that I am very thankful and grateful. :) » – Nikian, Washington Corrections Center, WA
« I am actually thankful for this company because your company helps us to stay in contact with our incarcerated family not only by being able to talk with them but also to be able to send funds to them 😊 so please continue to be a great company I appreciate you » – Valerie, Dual Vocational Institution, CA
« I’m thankful because you make our dream come true because were able to talk on the phone finally after 16 yrs writing to each other….because of this our feelings for each other got deeper…and I’m thankful coz I can check on him every 3x a week… the communication we have is very important. » – Maoreen, California Correctional Institution, CA
« When my husband was first incarcerated, it really took a toll on our family and our children. Looking at the situation now almost 2 years later, im thankful that he is in prison and having the chance to truly better himself and be rehabilitated for himself and our boys. A second chance at life. » – Tiana, Ross Correctional Institution, OH
« I’m thankful that I get lots of opportunities to talk to my brother. We have always been geographically separated but we talk more now than we ever have. It’s important to try to find some good even in bad circumstances. Don’t give up hope and have faith everything will work out in the end! » – Justin Mike Durfee State Prison SD
« I’m thankful for GTL for the service they supply. It so easy to communicate with my loved one the is incarcerated. And thankful for all of my family and Friends. For I’m surely blessed. » – Keila, Logan Correctional Center, IL
« I am so very Thankful for life. I may not have everything and I am not rich financially, but I have the love and support of my Grandchildren and Family. Having an incarcerated love one during the holidays is especially sad for me. He’s my only Son, but I never lose hope and keep love in my heart » – Debbie, St. Mary’s Correction Center, WV
Take Care,
Deb
Want to try one of these special gift-giving ideas this holiday season?
Still have suggestions?
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The information provided in this post is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment for specific medical conditions or a substitute for any other professional services. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have if you are experiencing depression or any other medical condition. GTL does not control or take responsibility for the content or information on any external website not managed by GTL.
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