In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
The Sincerity of Susan's Flight
Susan was interviewed in 1976 by a California news reporter.
In a previous chapter, we learned
how free as a bird Susan's spirit was.
How the walls of her physical confinement
could do nothing to stop her from soaring like an eagle.
The life Susan lived behind walls was proof of that.
Susan's interview gave words to the early stages of her ascent.
Susan was interviewed in 1976 by a California news reporter.
In a previous chapter, we learned
how free as a bird Susan's spirit was.
How the walls of her physical confinement
could do nothing to stop her from soaring like an eagle.
The life Susan lived behind walls was proof of that.
Susan's interview gave words to the early stages of her ascent.
Here is a portion of the interview.
Susan does not bat an eye as she answers
the reporter's questions.
Why do you think that is....
This is only a small part of Susan's interview with the reporter;
Susan does not bat an eye as she answers
the reporter's questions.
Why do you think that is....
This is only a small part of Susan's interview with the reporter;
Reporter: "Can you understand why many people, perhaps most people outside are
going to feel that you don't deserve parole,
that you should never be given parole.
You're aware of that..."
Susan: "Yes..."
Reporter: "Well, so what if you spend the rest of your life in this prison?"
Susan: (smiling) "Then I spend the rest of my life in this prison, umm..."
Reporter: "Is that thought depressing to you though?"
Susan: "No, because I know that, umm, how can I put it, I'm content!
I've found peace inside. And it does not,
it's not determined by my situation,
or my circumstance, or my physical surroundings"
Reporter: "How's it come about?"
Susan: "How does peace come about? My peace?"
Reporter: "uh huh..."
Susan: "Well I found peace through salvation, in Jesus.
And just knowing that I've been forgiven by God is sufficient for me"
going to feel that you don't deserve parole,
that you should never be given parole.
You're aware of that..."
Susan: "Yes..."
Reporter: "Well, so what if you spend the rest of your life in this prison?"
Susan: (smiling) "Then I spend the rest of my life in this prison, umm..."
Reporter: "Is that thought depressing to you though?"
Susan: "No, because I know that, umm, how can I put it, I'm content!
I've found peace inside. And it does not,
it's not determined by my situation,
or my circumstance, or my physical surroundings"
Reporter: "How's it come about?"
Susan: "How does peace come about? My peace?"
Reporter: "uh huh..."
Susan: "Well I found peace through salvation, in Jesus.
And just knowing that I've been forgiven by God is sufficient for me"
Reporter: "And, the fact that you know out there
people probably can't forgive you..."
Susan: "yes..."
Reporter: "...has no effect on you..."
Susan: "Um, no. Uh, because they're not the ones
that I have to face in the end when I die.
I have to face God and it's His forgiveness that determines my peace"
people probably can't forgive you..."
Susan: "yes..."
Reporter: "...has no effect on you..."
Susan: "Um, no. Uh, because they're not the ones
that I have to face in the end when I die.
I have to face God and it's His forgiveness that determines my peace"
Cleared for takeoff.
(Note there are several different edits
of this interview available,
and they vary in length.
Depending on which clip you view, portions of the
interview may be edited out)
home
(Note there are several different edits
of this interview available,
and they vary in length.
Depending on which clip you view, portions of the
interview may be edited out)
home
