See you in the Sky: A Memoir of Prison, Possibility and Peace
At the age of nineteen, Jeri traveled to California and started her own family and her career in public health, a seemingly normal life, despite the fact that her father was now a fugitive living in South America. When she was twenty nine her father was convicted and given life without parole for running what the government called "the biggest cocaine smuggling organization in U.S. history."
Years ealier when Jeri was ten her father went to prison for the first time. She was told not to tell anyone. As a child she learned how to keep silent and hold within her confusion, hurt, and fear.
Then after her father was incarcerated for almost twenty years, he helped her start her own international company giving her the opportunity to travel the world, a dream come true. This new chapter in their relationship led Jeri to question the fears and judgements she had about her father. Her healing journey took her to the big sky country of Montana and into the depths of a sacred Native American cave, from which she emerged with a new-found understanding of how to not only love and forgive her father but also herself. Together they discovered a profound relationship that opened them to an eternal love beyond bars.
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“Stories like Jeri’s are such precious jewels for all of us because they remind us to look back at how our choices influenced our lives. See You in the Sky shows us how to apply that knowledge to grow in wisdom. There are so many fantastic life experiences in this story. If you only take away one thing from reading this memoir, your life will be better for it.” - Harvey RV Powers
“I just finished your book! What a disarmingly beautiful story of hardship, love and healing — and so poignantly written. Your heart comes through on every page. I know this book, your life and your message have, are and will continue to invite people into their own journey of love and healing. What a blessing your life is to this world. Thank you for your strength, your love and your open heart. Our greatest gift is our story and you have brought forth the courage, acceptance and love to give it fully to the world.” - Barrett
“See You in the Sky is a very personal story, both raw and triumphant. The author's journey from an early and chaotic childhood which was at times painful and confusing through her impressively successful professional adulthood makes for a most compelling read. Her father's story, that of a man who made many mistakes in his life but loved his daughters unconditionally, is also fascinating. In spite of her father spending many decades in a federal prison they were able to partner in business and build a warm and loving relationship that continues to inspire and light the way for the author. I especially recommend this memoir to anyone struggling with what they might think is a broken family relationship and those who have incarcerated family members. Overall this is an uplifting and motivational read.” - Francie
“I am interested in fiction and nonfiction about incarceration and the damage that it does to families. Here is a beautifully written story of the journeys of a father and daughter. As the daughter seeks to understand and know her incarcerated father, there is growth and forgiveness. I couldn't put it down!” - Becky
“See You In The Sky was extremely well written and easy to read. What I enjoyed most about the book is the author wrote it in a way that I could literally visualize (like a movie) each chapter of her life. This book enlightened me to a life I was unfamiliar with and gives me new perspective to those servicing time; and most importantly those deserving compassionate release.” - Wendy
“See You In The Sky had me hooked after the first page. I was filled with compassion for the author in the way she had to come to terms with her father’s criminal lifestyle. Her story is one of forgiveness and acceptance. Reading the account of life growing up with a difficult childhood, had me questioning again my own father/daughter relationship.I strongly recommend this book be added to your reading list.” - Sally
“See You In The Sky is written and shared from the heart of a courageous woman who has a deep sense of caring about the feelings of others. Jeri takes us through her personal story of how she was affected when our Dad went to prison for the first time and ultimately for life without parole. She opens her heart and bares her soul about what it's like to live with an incarcerated loved one. This book will also help and inspire you to open your heart to loved ones that you have struggled to understand in your own life. Love, hope, and re-connection with lost parts of yourself is what you may experience from reading this amazing memoir.” - Lyn
“See you in the Sky was quite a revelation: I learnt so much about what it is like to live in a family with an incarcerated family member. But I also learnt, that there are ways you can make sense of it, if you are an affected family member, and move beyond recrimination, anxiety, confusion and anger. In the end, the author learns to love her father. That is quite an achievement. If you live in a family with an incarcerated family member, or even if you have a challenging family situation, this book might help you see the wider picture of compassion and love, and become familiar with ways and means to achieve that. I highly recommend this well written memoir.” - Birgit
“I just finished See You in the Sky. I read it in one day - couldn’t put it down - and loved it. Jeri's relationship with her Daddy is beautiful and I know it will bring hope to so many who are suffering. I read The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton earlier this year, and his book, like See You in the Sky, shines a light on those incarcerated as well as their families. I think we need more stories like these to remind us to treat *everyone* with humanity and dignity.” - Christy
“As the mother of an incarcerated daughter, and a grandmother raising her children, I am inspired by See You in the Sky. Jeri’s book shows the other side of incarceration: the human stories from families who get pulled into tragic situations. Her story shows how we cope, survive, heal, forgive, love and refuse to give up on our loved ones. Jeri offers all of us a gift of hope.” -Christina Garrett