It is indeed a 100% commitment. My one guy I write on Death Row in Nevada is an amazing guy. I've not had a letter like yours where he said they executed his friend, but just reading your post grabbed my heart. It makes all my little petty problems and annoyances insignificant. It's impossible to put yourself in their shoes and imagine what they must be feeling. It sure makes me want to focus on what really matters in my life, which is making a difference in THEIR life. I'd like to write to more on Death Row, but 2 I wrote passed me along and 2 others wrote 1 letter back and then I did not hear from them for 6 months. I've wrote more letters, cards, but didn't hear back. I don't want to annoy them if they truly don't want a pen-pal!!