Every day, just before I leave the room where I write, I watch the staff members who are finishing their shifts. They walk toward the parking lot and from the window I can see as they open their vehicle’s doors and disappear into pickups, SUVS, and compacts. I wonder how far they must drive to return to their families, and I wonder whether they appreciate their spouses as much as I appreciate mine.
I’ve often written about a theory of prison adjustment known as the U-shaped curve. The theory suggests that prisoners struggle some during the first and last quarters of their term, though the middle portion of imprisonment supposedly passes easily. I know that I have at least 85 percent of my prison time behind me, and it’s true that thoughts about what liberty will be like comes to mind more frequently.
One certainty I count on is that I will appreciate my time with Carole. She is such a wonderful wife for me, and every day I feel grateful. We began our seventh year of marriage this month, and I love her more than ever. Every day she brings new reasons for me to fall in love with her again. I am so eager to hold her hand this coming Friday.
Today I finished my final major revision to the sample chapter of Earning Freedom. I began the edit at 2:37 this morning and worked until six. I cut my run short, to only five miles, as I wanted to return to my work. I finished the edit at 2:15 this afternoon.
I am fortunate to have mentors who guide me. As I worked through each sentence, I had comments from two professionals to consider. Their suggestions made the chapter much stronger. I sent the pages off to Carole today for typing. I will proof her work and send the chapters off to Jim, my literary agent.
With only a five mile run, my tally is now at 1,515 miles over the past 172 days.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
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