Today was a bonus day for me. I don’t get too many of these, and I really appreciate them when they come. Since Carole was scheduled to work on one Friday earlier this month, and since this month had only four weekends, we had sufficient visiting points available to visit on a Saturday. I woke with a lot of enthusiasm to spend a second day in a row visiting with my wife. Some may think it odd that a few more hours in a visiting room with my wife could mean so much, but for me that time with Carole is as close to liberty as I know.
I knew that I would only have a half day with her, as Carole had to attend an event for Nichole in Santa Barbara later in the afternoon. Despite the three hours she would have to spend on the road, Carole drove into the parking lot at 8:10 this morning. We spent four magnificent hours together. I wish the prison rules provided more accessibility to visiting and telephone privileges, as I really cherish opportunities to nurture my marriage.
During our visit, Carole and I spoke about the changes going on in Congress. Prison reform has become a real likelihood. With the election of 2010 ahead, I feel strongly that legislation will pass within a year, as the Democrats will want to see the change before the campaign season for the next Congress begins.
Sentence reform is a huge deal for Carole and me. We believe that by this time next year, a new law will exist that ought to advance my release date. I would not be surprised to return to society in 2010. Because of that possibility, Carole and I feel high levels of optimism. We’re ready. Carole has a nursing credential that provides her with excellent employment stability. While Carole works as a nurse, I will build my career as a speaker, writer, and consultant from the home we build together. It’s very exciting for us to plan on living together as husband and wife. Feelings of being a man, as opposed to a prisoner, are returning to me.
I woke to prepare for my visit with Carole at 3:00. In the early-morning hours I wrote four blog articles. Then I ran five miles. That lifted my distance tally to 936 miles over the past 106 days. In early April I will cross the 1,000-mile goal that I set last December.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
PDF 
