Today I enjoyed the most magnificent visit with my wife. I woke at 2:30, eager to hold her in my arms. We’ve been fortunate that her work schedule has been allowing her to see me each Friday for the past several months. When one visit ended, I began counting the hours until I could see her again.
Each week I work hard to keep up with all of my writing projects. I live by the code that Benjamin Franklin wrote about in his autobiography, which counsels people to both sleep and rise at an early hour. The payoff to which I always look forward is my visiting day with Carole.
I spent the early hours writing, and I finished five blog articles before seven. Then I went outside to exercise, and I added three miles to my tally. My string of running days now extends to 84. Following the run, I prepared for the visit. Once dressed I watched news coverage of the dismal economic numbers. More than 8.1 percent unemployment rates are having a harsh influence on millions of American families. It saddens me to think of how many people struggle.
Just after nine, I looked through a window in the housing unit and I saw Carole walking from her white car to the visiting room. I really missed her during the days we spent apart. Of all the blessings I’ve received in my life, I feel most grateful for the marriage Carole and I have been able to build together. I really look forward to my release and living as her husband.
Very few prisoners lead lives that feel as fulfilling as mine. I attribute the ease with which I serve these final months or years of my imprisonment to the preparations I began making when I was first locked inside the walls of a United States Penitentiary. Since my focus was always on the life I wanted to lead upon release, I devoted my early years to education. The skills I developed through study enabled me to open more opportunities and relationships. After 15 years, I was rewarded with Carole’s love, and together we’ve created a marriage that really enriches both our lives.
During our visit today, Carole told me about all the coordinations she ‘s had to make in order to update our blog. She described how professional and magnificent our new web developers have been and told me about the help she has been receiving from Josh, our friend who has been devoting time to type. I may still be locked in prison, but I feel grateful for this support I have. It enables me to stay connected with the world. I really feel as if I will walk out of prison unscathed, fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to my community. Life feels rich, and I am grateful.
Friday, 6 March 2009
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