Story of the Day
"August
25"
Before me stood a tall man, about sixty years old. He had a perfect crew
cut, even though it was not the current style. He had bright blue eyes and
wore a wide smile. He extended his right hand to mine, simultaneously
reaching his left hand to my shoulder. It had been the warmest greeting
I'd received in over three years. Then he handed me a business card that
read "J. Richard Cook" on one side and "Happy Birthday to me
Remember August 25" on the other.
I had been startled
by his humility because I already knew who he was. The inmates referred to
him as their "guardian angel." He was the counselor to the
Project Workers at the Plummer Community Corrections Center, a work-release
facility.
Project Workers are
inmates who have a prison sentence but are permitted to serve their sentence at
the Center instead of a traditional prison facility. Project Workers are
the cooks, maintenance people, groundskeepers, janitors, receptionists,
switchboard operators and mail sorters. Project Workers who have their
GEDs or their high school diplomas also serve as peer tutors to help others earn
theirs. The Plummer Center Project Workers are also involved in community
projects, from mowing lawns at churches to clearing snow from city streets and
sidewalks.
The workers live in
a converted house called the Mandatory Building. Their bunk beds are in a
crowded bedroom instead of a cell. The building has a kitchen, dining room
table, living room furniture and a TV. When the workers' loved ones comes
to visit, they may hug them and eat the food prepared especially for them.
One worker shared,
"As Dr. Cook and I sat and talked, I realized that he knew more about me
that I know about myself. As we spoke about my crimes and my shortcomings,
truth was the only option. There was no room for excuses or blaming
others. He listened intently without judging or pitying me."
Dr. Cook would ask
a worker, "Did you use your incarceration time wisely?" Then
he'd briefly review their various responsibilities and how they were responsible
to be on-call twenty-four hours a day. He'd say, "Your integrity must
be beyond reproach. Nothing less will be tolerated."
After Dr. Cook met
with a worker, he'd stand up, shake their hand and say, "Doctor, nice
talking with you." He called people Doctor when he forgot their
names. In spite of that, he still left the workers feeling more positive
about themselves.
Dr. Cook escorted
the workers to funerals, weddings, hospitals to visit a family member or to a
train station when it was time to go home. I'd watch him take them through
the prison gates. He could have used a state-owned car, but I knew he
didn't, because the license plate read "AUG 25."
Dr. Richard Cook
not only gave of his car, but he gave of himself. He was always there to
guide the workers. He was a mentor, friend and critic even if it hurt.
He was a man with a colorful sense of humor. He had a basement full of
treasures he stored for the inmates until their release and a phone bill lined
with collect calls.
What did this man
expect in return? Birthday cards, no matter whether they were from a
store, homemade or from a computer. It didn't matter, but he only wanted
one signature per card. He was even known to buy a box of cards and hand
them out. He received cards from inmates released years before. Many
had moved to other states and new successful lives. Dick Cook loved his
birthday and everyone knew it.
On October 15,
1997, the Earth stood still. Our most beloved Dr. J. Richard Cook passed
away in the place he loved the Plummer Center's Mandatory Building
surrounded by those he loved and those who loved him.
The Mandatory
Building was renamed. The Cook Building and a tree now stand there in his
honor. People still send birthday cards every year to our facility on
August 25, even though they know Dr. Cook is no longer physically here.
His spirit is alive and well. Thank you, Dr. Cook, and happy birthday.