Yesterday I was reminded why I do the job I do.

I was getting someone out of Jail yesterday to take him back to his placement. He is someone whom I violated and ultimately put in jail. We had three hearings about the situation and I testified at all of them, so I was a little nervous about how he'd be when I picked him up. He had responded appropriately to me in Court, but you just never know how people (especially unmedicated mentally ill people) will act at any given moment!

When the deputy brought him to the release area he smiled at me, held out his hand for me to shake, and said, "It's great to see you, Jenn. Thank you for coming to get me."

As we drove away he was quiet for a few minutes. I let him be, and he finally cleared his throat. "Jenn," he said,"I want you to know how much I appreciate all you've done for me. Standing beside you in Court was an honor. I heard you speaking in support of me, and I heard how you continued to speak even when the counter opinions were offered. You didn't back down and I admire your firm determination in my cause. I want you to know, God's honest truth, that if you ever need help in any way, if you ever need anything at all, you can come to me and I'd help you no matter what the cost."

Pregnancy hormones or not, I cried.