Amanda Coyne's Reading

The Long Goodbye: Mother's Day in Federal Prison

Coyne has chosen to write about a very powerful topic; it is a true example of the love felt for children by mothers. Right away a strong emotion is evoked as she describes the mothers receiving their flowers and treasuring it. It's sad, somethings so simple that we can take for granted can hold such a stronger meaning for someone else. As Coyne goes on to describe the mothers smelling their children, it reminds me of animals; it seems so primitive. It reflects that these women are being held like animals, and therefore they resort to animal-like behavior. It's depressing as Coyne describes the environment, like the stale sandwiches and restricted conversations held by one another. Although Coyne was not there for the "prepping" that the prisoners went through for the visitors, her assumptions seem very plausible.