Listen to Hybachi LeMar speaking from SCI Huntingdon:

When I was six or seven, my mom tried to start feeding me oatmeal before school. I tried to let her know “Ma, I don’t like oatmeal that much”. After insisting, I gave in; asking that she’d let me eat it in my room while doing my homework at my desk before heading out. Each morning, I’d come down with my empty bowl and homework done: she’d smile, while taking my bowl, letting me know how proud she was of me before kissing my cheek, letting me know to have a good day at school. I was in the 3rd grade. One day, about two weeks later, I got home from school, opened the door, and there she was standing; as if waiting for me. I looked up, she said “Boy, I went to clean your room, when I opened the lid to your desk, it was overflowing with oatmeal!”

I don’t know if I ever got the chance to let her know that I understand the struggle of a single mom making sure I was always full and had something to eat, even if it was oatmeal at times. I was elated when she mixed it with pieces of bread for flavor. She always knows how to make the most out of anything, and with love; and I appreciate her.

She used to carry me on her back in a papoose, and clip my nails. She’d go over my homework with me, making sure I got my math right, and helped me sound out my words. I learned patience from her early on, when she’d take me to her job when she was a home healthcare worker. I loved the attention she always showed: from letting her boyfriends know that I came first, to humming and singing the theme song to the Muppets show. (Hybachi sings). Ah, boy.

This birthday, I’m saying Mom: thanks. Thanks for caring for me and for loving me. Thanks for flavoring my oatmeal, and for the delicious okra rice and hamburger hookups with the adobo. Thanks for washing my clothes by hand in the tub each week, and for ironing them each morning; for making sure I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Thanks for taking time to watch movies with me on the couch on Saturday nights, and for having my back at parole hearings. I love you mom, I got your back too. I’m proud of you and love you always.

Your son always, Thunna – aka Hybachi LeMar.