This is a mass email sent to friends and family alerting all of my situation. This document has also been sent to former friends/church associations who are supporters of my ex-wife, Julianne Elaine Thomas (Hannaford). This document has also been sent to Julianne and her parents via postal mail.
Jim Hannaford
200 Court Square
Ashland City, TN 37015
Dear Friends,
It’s jail time for me again! I’m not being cavalier, but there is no pity party here. Make no mistake about it! I don’t want to be here! I don’t like the tax payers of Cheatham County or the State of TN paying for my upkeep. There are times in our lives, however, when one must stand up as one’s convictions dictate. Right now my conscience is speaking loudly and clearly. If I am wrong, then correct me with logic and goodwill. Up to now I have had no persuasion otherwise; therefore, I must move and act upon my conscience, regardless the personal discomfort and inconvenience.
Again – not being cavalier – but actually this straight time in the Cheatham County Jail is not unlike a missionary going off to a third world country or even a college student going abroad for a semester of study. It is a cultural experience as much as anything. Certainly, there is a life style adjustment but we humans are very adaptable…and I am human and not a machine.
I’m getting along well with no complaints or hardships, given the circumstances that I’m in. Through a loving network of support, my affairs outside of jail are being taken care of. Two friends of mine are routinely checking on my 92 year old mom, who resides in an assisted living facility. All of her needs are being met through the facility or my friends. Actually she is getting more time and attention than what I was capable of giving. Of course, Mom is not able to see her son right now. If she were to pass while I’m in jail it would be a sad thing. Right now, however, she is prospering well physically and mentally.
I, likewise, am prospering in jail. I’m keeping a daily journal, reading my Bible faithfully every morning, getting a lot of other reading done – fiction and non-fiction, socializing with my fellow inmates and the guards, and corresponding with friends and family. So far I am not bored. Just as elsewhere, there are rainbows to chase here…and I am chasing them in the Cheatham County Jail.
What is most disheartening and disappointing is the fact that my beautiful ex-wife, Julianne, and her family, John W. Thomas, Jr. of Cordova, TN and their advisors are persecuting me in this way. I have repeatedly and lovingly tried to reach out to them, have been totally honest, and have tried to show goodwill and good faith while asking the same of them. Never acknowledging my efforts, their heart seems to be cold and hard. I don’t understand. This only exacerbates the problem and reaps negative results for all. These are good, devout Christians, who promote and testify their faith. I honestly can’t reconcile their actions knowing the good people they are. I don’t over emphasize how good Julianne and her family are. I believe they have been misguided in a direction opposite from who they are and what they testify. This is no way to handle a human relations conflict. Besides being wrong in attitude, it is ineffective in reality. Perhaps, by your reading of my ordeal, you can learn something to apply in your own human endeavors. This is my hope! This is my cause!
Thank you for your friendship, support and concern. You are receiving this email because of past associations between us. I hope you will subscribe to my blog: http://storiesofdivorce.blogspot.com/ Through this blog, I will be sharing descriptively my conditions, lifestyle, anecdotes. And other commentary. They will be short and I think you will find them informative and entertaining. I hope you will become a regular reader. Please share with others; I am not ashamed of being in jail.
Initially, however, there may be some laborious reading, if you care to delve that much into why I’m here on this date. (Also, there will be previous posts there from last March. I was posting my situation at that time too.) This reading is necessary to get an understanding of the current situation.
What else can you do for me? Postal mail is the lifeblood of jail (typed mail is fine, even though I will respond to you with pencil handwriting.). I am news deprived. No newspapers or magazines are allowed (inmates use newsprint to make tattoos.) I’m interested in the personal comings and goings of your life. I’m interested in anything you can print out from a computer. i.e. news articles/commentary; sports news, stats, standings, schedules; humor and jokes; programs (concert, church, school, sports); printed sermons; photos of your recent activities; any books – fiction or non-fiction (have to be paperback though). I ask you to be faithful as time goes along. I’m afraid that initially I will receive a feast of mail and 3-4 months later I will be starved. Thank you now for your love and response.
With your mailing me, even though we all need empathy and sympathy, I ask that you have no pity for me personally. Rather, be a cheerleader with positive affirmations to win a just cause for EVERYBODY. I have always said I do not want to win a legal battle. Let others win all the legal battles. (For that reason I have refused to retain an attorney). I have maintained that this is not a legal battle, but a spiritual problem! We’re not talking about murder here! We’re talking about a human conflict between Christians. I tell you, this problem could go away quickly and would not need a six month review, if we would all “walk the walk” and confront our issues respectfully, creatively, and redemptively. My heart is right (and has always been). I’ll give the shirt off my back, if I am treated with respect and goodwill.
I came to court on September 28th with the same resolve and expectation I had 6 months ago, last March. My outside circumstances are different now than last March (see posted blog for explanation.) Therefore, I came to court with plastic shopping bags packed with underwear, toiletries, and other supplies. Sure enough, I was sentenced to 6 months in the Cheatham County jail. I was handcuffed in the courtroom and led out to jail. I am resigned that I shall always be persecuted by the woman I loved and gave the best years of my life, she is the mother of a daughter I dearly, and have always, loved, but to whom I am estranged. If the remedy to this human conflict is my spending the rest of my life in jail, then I accept my destiny with gratitude, but will keep proclaiming “there is a better way”.
My friends, I know who I am. I know I’m not a perfect man. But I tell you, my ex-wife could have done a whole lot worse both in marriage and in divorce. I am not the evil or criminal man I’m made out to be. This is a travesty on many levels. I ask that you continue to pray that this can be resolved in a God honoring and redemptive way for all concerned.
Thank you for walking down this path with me. Thank you for doing what you can in my support. Thank you for your prayers. If ever given an opportunity to intercede, mitigate or broker a resolution, I hope you will allow yourself to be Divinely used.
Meanwhile, know that I am fine. I am full of joy. I am full of gratitude! I am indeed, despite all, a blessed man. Much Love and Affection for You!
Jim
Jim Hannaford
200 Court Square
Ashland City, TN 37015
