Harold Keller / L’Observateur / October 7, 2000

Please allow me to share the following letter I received this week from a young man whom I met over five years ago at a treatment center. I veryseldom hear from him. It’s a miracle how a changed heart will reverse anegative attitude. Maybe this letter will touch the life of someone who isstruggling with drugs.

“Oct. 1, 2000Hey, Mr. Keller!It’s me, Dean Guagliardo. Remember me? Yes, I’m still here at PCC StatePrison in DeQuincy, where I’ve been since ’96 and I want you to know that my time is almost up! Thanks to God! Mr. Keller, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think and pray for youand your wife, Mrs. Jeanne. See, I still remember her, also.Well, Mr. Keller, it’s been a while since I’ve written you and something istelling me to drop you a letter and both of us know who is speaking to me. Noone but God. He’s so good all the time!Over the years here, I did a lot of changing and soul-searching. I never knewthat you could feel so free while being locked up, until a change took place in my life. You remember I got a 10-year sentence years ago for cocaine,steroids and possession of a gun and have been here ever since. But beforeall that, remember, I was in SASAC in Bogalusa and ADU and Fontainbleau in Mandeville. Well, thanks for all the help over the years; I’m not the sameperson anymore! I’ve got two trades, Body and Fender, and am just getting ready to finish Welding, so now I have something to fall back on and make an honest living, instead of selling drugs. I can’t wait to get out and use my skills for work.You know, an honest living, like I said. Even though I’m locked up, I’m free!Now for the good news! Around November, I’ll be leaving and am going to a halfway house until my good-time discharge, which is May 3, 2001. Mr. Keller,they told me that I would never see a halfway house over the years here but thanks to God, I’m going to one in November. See – He’s God and He’s real inour lives, if we trust in Him. Through our faith, things happen. If not for myschool credits, I would still be here until Aug. 2, 2001, but I did something formyself and went to school to better myself. Now, all I look forward to isworking and making honest money. I love welding and am real good at it. Ipipe-weld, tig-weld and do it all. Thanks to God!Well, just wanted you to know that you are not forgotten and I miss you a lot.

You are always in my prayers and thoughts. Maybe you can and will read thisand it will touch somebody in the treatment centers and give them hope, like you did for me.

Mr. Keller, I love you a lot. Do you still see Mrs. Billie, Mrs. Nancy and theblack lady doctor at ADU? She was hard, but good. Tell them all hi and thanksfor helping me. Will you please read my letter to them? Tell Mrs. Billie thatshe’s not forgotten, either, along with her Richard Simmons workout she used to make me do. (Ha-Ha!) Write back.Love, Dean P.S. – Remember that you told me I wouldn’t make it because of my attitude?Well, look at me now! Love you!”

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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