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Former Toccoa resident Thomas L. Watson will talk about his life Oct. 17.
Author and speaker Thomas Leon Watson, a former resident of Toccoa, will share his life story during a talk at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Thomas’ mother moved him and the family from Bristol, Tenn., to Toccoa when he was 4-years-old.
At the age of 12, Watson says he plotted to kill his mother’s boyfriend, but was stopped by his best friend’s father. This act of kindness prevented Thomas from attempting murder and escape spending time in juvenile, Watson says.
In 1988, Watson was referred to an organization called CHRIS Kids (now known as CHRIS 180, an organization that helps children and young adults ages 6-24 who have emotional and behavioral problems.
The week Watson moved to the independent living program of CHRIS Kids, his best friend went to prison for 20 years. “Choosing CHRIS Kids was an alternative to prison,” Watson says.
Watson said he experienced transformation while at CHRIS Kids as he dealt with the source of the pain, anger and hatred that led him to being institutionalized.
Two years after transitioning from CHRIS Kids, Watson said he found a spiritual path that led to more transformation.