The miraculous life of Jonathan Swain

Jonathan Swain was not so sure that the bond he once felt with his mother had survived all those years of abandonment, betrayal and lies... all those disappointments. He had stayed in touch with Sheila during her time in prison, but the years of pain and neglect during her addictions had left their mark.

Jon Swain: In some ways, it’s kind of messed me up. It’s hard for me emotionally sometimes. It’s hard for me to forgive people sometimes, I think, because of what happened.

Anyway, he was a husband now... and a father, who wanted to be there for his son… always, and not just the first few years, the way his mother was for him.

And there was the big news. His mom was about to be released after more than 5 years in prison, which meant that Jon had a decision to make. Could he accept her back in his life? After all she had done? From her prison cell, Sheila — off drugs for seven years now — asked for his forgiveness.

Sheila Swain: I’m very ashamed of what I did, you know, very ashamed.

Keith [to Sheila in prison]: He says no one hurt him more than you. Is there anything you can do to make that up?

Sheila Swain: I don’t know. I’m gonna do my best to try. I can’t go back; I can’t change what’s been done. I can only move on. I can only move forward.

Jon hoped the person who would leave prison in a couple of weeks would be the mom who, when he was little, so long ago, was there for him...

Jon Swain: She’s a really very good-hearted woman. I never doubted in my mind that she loved me.

Morrison:  Do you forgive her?

Jon Swain: Do I forgive her? I forgive my mom. I just will never forget how bad she hurt me.

Now Jon made the decision he believed was right. He told his mother she has a place with him in his new home with his family here in Vernal, Utah.

Morrison:  He says he never once doubted that you loved him, never doubted your compassion, never doubted that you cared about him.

Sheila Swain: I don’t deserve him, you know, I really don’t. He’s so amazing. I am so proud of him and honored to be his mother. I am so thankful for a second chance.

But would he be a pushover? An enabler? Not Jon Swain.

Jon Swain: I said, “If I ever find drugs or if you’re ever stranded in a crack house, it’s over. You’re out, it’s done." That would be very hard for me but I can’t; I will not put my son and my wife through what I went through.

Sheila Swain: He keeps saying, “If you ever do drugs again.” I know, I’m probably gonna have to be proving it to him for a long, long time.

Morrison:  Probably for the rest of your life.

Sheila Swain: Probably.

(Airport reunion)

Jon Swain: I’m very nervous. It must mean she’s coming down the escalator.

Amber Swain: You’re nervous?

Jon Swain: Yeah, all of a sudden.

And now here it is. January 4^th, 2005: A son waiting to be reunited with his long-lost mom. He has a wife and a six-month old grandson to show her.

Jon sees Sheila at the airport.

Jon Swain: There she is.

Jon waves and Sheila approaches. Jon hugs her tightly with Jett.

Jon Swain: How are you mom? I love you.

Sheila hugs Amber, puts her face close-up to grandson Jett.

Jon Swain (on camera): She’s lucky because she does have the chance to redeem herself. She has a chance to be a good grandmother. She has a chance to be a good mentor for me. To be someone to talk to, to be there for me. She has that opportunity now.

Sheila Swain: It is a new beginning. It’s just like a clean slate. I’m his mother and I want to be a mother that he can count on.

Jon Swain: I believe in her more than I ever have in my whole life. I want to be there for her to help her in any way I can.

Sheila Swain: Ahh...I am not gonna let him down! I am not gonna let him down. Did you just hear what he said about me? Ahh!

Once, his crazy dream was to live to be 20.

Now, at 22, Jon knows that his AIDS can still kill him at any time, which is why he’s religious about taking his medication and watching his diet. He says he now has incentive to live 60 more years.  

His mother is back.  His brother, who’d helped him survive as a boy, is now his cooking partner. His son, Jett, is healthy.

And Amber... well, who could ever have expected to find her?

Morrison:  What do you hope for Jett and for your family now?

Amber Swain: I hope that Jon’s around to see him grow up.

Morrison:  Do you have any doubts about that?

Amber Swain: Some, but I knew that going in. I don’t think he will. He better not.

Jon [laughing]: Or you’ll kill me, right?

Amber Swain: That’s right.

Jon Swain: Yeah. I don’t have any doubts. Honestly. I don’t.  I want to live a long life. I wanna be there for my family. I wanna beat this virus. I’m going to beat it.

Amber and Jett remain HIV-free. Sheila is still off drugs and ready to go back to work. And Jonathan is also doing well. Recently the Swains took their first family vacation to DisneyWorld.

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