Hi everyone. I am wondering how many of you correspond with death row inmates, and whether or not any of you at some point have questioned or regretted your decision to do so?

I have six prison pen pals, three of whom are languishing on death row. Lately I've been worrying a lot about how I am going to feel and how I will cope when their execution date nears. I just know I am going to be devestated. I feel so helpless, because I know that there is nothing I can do to help them. My friends are going to be murdered in cold blood by the state, and there is nothing that I can do about it.

I'm angry with myself, because knowing how sensitive and fragile I am emotionally, I should have avoided this all together and chosen not to write to those on death row in the first place. But I felt compelled to do so, because I can't imagine how lonely and frightened these people must be. And I thought that I might be able to make a difference in their life. I know that if I were in a similar situation, I would be very grateful if someone extended their hand to me in friendship.

I've grown rather fond of one of them in particular, who is incredibly sweet and funny and I know that I am going to miss him terribly. And I also know that I will be bitter and resentful, because his death is so senseless. He is young and full of life, and would have had many years ahead of him. It's just so unfair.

Anyway, just wondering how other people think and feel about this, and how they've dealt with similar situations? Have any of you actually lost friends to execution? How have you dealt with it? Thanks.

Lisa