1) Three or four years ago, my sons were studying at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and their sister was a university student.
Sometimes, I would be resting or watching television, while the children were busy with their studies or on the computer. Suddenly, an idea would pop into my mind. To ensure I wouldn’t forget it, I had to jot it down immediately. I’d say, “Kids, I need a pen, can one of you get a pen for Dad?”
The children would quickly get up from their places and hide all the pens they had, as well as any other pens in the house, and they would tell each other, “Don’t give Dad a pen, he might write a letter or a poem or something. ‘They will arrest our father.'”
2) My mother wasn’t very educated and knew nothing about politics. She was quiet and oppressed, always busy mentioning blessings. It was rare for her to issue a directive on a matter, but if she did, her word was final. We would submit to her command.
The last time I was released from prison, she called my wife and told her to tell Mohammad not to write anything again, “they will send him to prison once more. I can’t bear it anymore.”
She pleaded several times with me directly, saying, “Mother, don’t write anything anymore. ‘They will arrest you, and your children will suffer.'”
I said fine, mother, I won’t write. But one or two weeks later, she learned that I had written another letter to Mr. Khamenei. She was very upset with me when she saw me. After that, she no longer insisted. I think instead of insisting to me, she talked directly to God, giving an order: “Oh God, if Mohammad is to be imprisoned again, let me not be here.”
And God submitted to her command. After all, she had spent a lifetime submitting to God’s order. On her last night, she even performed her prayers in the mosque in congregation.
I attended her funeral, memorial, and seventh-day ceremonies, but during the fortieth day ceremony held for her, I was in solitary confinement with the unknown soldiers of Imam Mahdi at the Ministry of Intelligence.
Mohammad Mahdavifar
Isfahan Central Prison
9 Esfand 97 [February 28, 2019]