Monthly Updates-November

As you know by now, my Monday blogs about our almost 2 year journey have been discontinued. I now plan to send out a monthly blog, around the first of the month, to keep you updated on our progress.

We have settled into a routine, not very much different than the pre Taft routine. I get up early and go to the gym, Ron stays in bed an extra hour, then gets up and goes to work. Well, he goes to his desk, does whatever bookkeeping or accounting work he has for that day. At this time of year there is not much, but he is calling and contacting people to try and increase his client base. Lots of work will be available around the end of January through mid April, but he'd like to be busy now. Much of his accounting work is seasonal, but he is looking for businesses to do work for that require year round help. With so many people out of work it is hard to get. That doesn't keep him from trying. The rest of the day consists of possibly a long walk, lunch with friends, a game of bridge, or a movie. We're very predictable.

There's so much people don't tell you about and prepare you for after release from prison. Many former inmates tell you that you just go back to your old life and forget about the prison experience. Ron wonders how they do it. It's kind of like being a POW or a combat fighter who comes home and is supposed to leave what happened behind. It's just not possible for most. One therapist called the feelings one has after prison a type of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Ron will often dream about being in prison or fear being sent back. Not long ago his probation officer called one night around 6pm and said she wanted to come by and see him at our home the following morning. Ron imagined all sorts of reasons for her coming to our house, and none of them were true. In actuality she was going to be out in the field the following day and would have her supervisor with her, and wanted Ron to meet her. Perfectly innocent, but Ron had a terrible night of stress and anxiety. It's crazy what the mind can do.

Thoughts of prison will fade over time. I guess some people have better coping mechanisms, and simply put the past behind them. I admire that. I think about how different my life is now that Ron is home. No more running to LA every Thursday, driving to Taft Friday morning and all the way home Friday night. I have so much less to do now than I did just a few months ago. It's hard for me to just enjoy life and relax. As with Ron, I think over time it will become easier and easier to enjoy our daily life.

One thing we're really enjoying is video chatting with the grandchildren. That has become a weekly ritual with Phil, Deb, and Lennon, and we're going to get the twins and Brian and Beth to chat with us too. It is just like you're there with them. I never thought Ron would sit for 10 minutes in front of a computer screen and watch his 2 year old grandchild blow kisses, do somersaults, and just be cute, but he does and he loves it. I do too. Oh yes, I love seeing Phil and Deborah, Brian and Beth too. As for David, he's made several trips down to see us, and we've had some great times together. My mom has been here once, and I try to get to LA once a month to see her. Starting sometime in December Ron will have permission to go to LA to visit my mom. That is something we are really looking forward to.