I would have thought that metal detectors were enough
to stifle illegal activity on a visit to a federal prison, but was I wrong!
After the embarrassment of having to remove my under wires, I found myself once
again being questioned by the authorities. This time I was asked to show my
right pocket to the officer who waved a small wand over my hip area. I knew
something was wrong when the machine it was attached to began printing a long
strip of paper. I was asked to sit in an area that was away from the other
awaiting visitors.
Normally, we are
scanned and taken back in small groups of 4 or 5. We go through several
checkpoints where doors are closed behind us before others are opened. My son
and husband had already been taken back while I had been delayed by the metal
detector. When I was separated from the group, I knew there were complications.
The female guard
informed me that I had tested positive for a substance used to make illegal
drugs. My reaction was one of shock and disbelief. I was calm on the outside
but on the inside I was screaming my thoughts:
"What! No way! I have a son in prison because of drugs! I HATE drugs!
Why is this happening! I just want to hug my son!"
Inside the prison,
my husband was not so calm! He was screaming on the outside! He had no idea
what was happening except he now had to visit his son behind glass with only 2
visitors at a time!
I waited in the
waiting room until my son came out so I could go in. I had plenty of time to
think and pray. I still do not know why all the bad things happened to me that
day, but I do know Who was in charge. It was a test of my character, a
completion of the verse I was reminded of with the metal detectors: Romans 5: 3-4
"And
not only this, but we also exult in our
tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, proven character;
and proven
character, hope"
When my son came out
of his visit, I could see his puzzled look through the glass even before he
entered the room. I couldn't control my emotions as I blurted out, “I tested
positive for ecstasy!" After a good cry, I was able to laugh right along
with all the other visitors in the waiting room! Finally, with lessons learned for future
visits, I was able to have a pleasant visit with my son even with the glass
between us.
