Letter From A Convict - Don't like them opening my letters....

Son, Come siete, il mio figlio?

Son, you must understand, when I was little, my father took me with him everywhere. I went on every trip with him to Miami, Cuba, New York, Cleveland, and many many other places.

Yes, my mama, (God rest her soul) use to scream at him, curse him at times. She didn't want her little boy going to those "evil" places, as she called them. Mama was a very religious person.

But I was being trained to follow in his footsteps, his life, to take over the businesses and make sure that the family had enough money to live on. Not just mama or myself, but the brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousin, and my own future family too. It was for everyone. I was the oldest and it fell on my shoulders to become the provider when my father passed on. I have done the best that I know how.

Papa use to say, as long as you can draw breath there will be a family. You must take care of the family, always. I did. I devoted every breath to this family. I still do. Maybe, now that you are older, you can see that. We are expected to lead, you and I, so others can follow. But you have stopped leading son.

It is up to us men, as leaders, as head of the family to act in a manner which makes the others want to follow us. To be a part of us and a part of the unit again. Pain and hurt can devastate peoples lives, but sooner or later, we must recover, pull ourselves up, and dust ourselves off. We must be what we are suppose to be in this life. Capisca?

We are men, and we must remain men in order to survive in this world. We all screw up, we, everyone are infallible humans. The highest among us, the most important guy will steal. The most upright woman will cheat and lie to cover up her wrong. No one is just or perfect. It is easy for people to throw stones, but let others throw stones at them and the glass house crumbles.

I know you think your family is all messed up, but it is not. We stand for honor, loyalty, taking care of the family. Yes, I went to prison and things are a little messed up, but this a part of our lives.

My great grandfather's was Michael Crisci and my father, "E.B" and all the uncles. We all had problems, lots went to jail at one time or another, but we raised our families, we had our businesses, and we stood together, but most important, we stood strong. Now it is your turn. Now it is time for you to stand strong.

Never be ashamed of your family's name or me. I know a zillion people and I don't give a s**t. I am what I am. Those a**holes won't say s**t to my face, because they are small little cowards.

Be a man, son, gather your courage, gather your strength, go seek your fortune. It is your turn to take care of the family.

Take care, my son
Your father


I was 16 years old when I got this letter. What did I know then?