My Personal Journal

I'm writing this blog on Thanksgiving Day, and feeling I have so much to be thankful for. Yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving, we went to Los Angeles to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, and Thanksgiving. David and Tracy were there with freshly baked pecan and chocolate pumpkin pies for dessert, Beth, Brian, Spencer and Ryan were there with all their energy, Ken, Dey and Brooke (Tracy's brother and family) were there, Matt (Tracy's other brother)was there, and Barbara (Tracy's mom) was there, laryngitis and all. We had a wonderful time. The three kids ran and jumped and played like three year olds, and we all ate. Oh, did we eat. Mom, along with assistance from Chayo, had made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner which we enjoyed, just after lighting the Hanukkah candles. Our family has never done things in the traditional way, but it works for us. I thought yesterday afternoon about all the craziness in the world, all the heartbreak that some families experience, and despite all we've been through, felt we're pretty lucky. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Ron has a lifelong friend Phil, who lives in Phoenix. Ron has an opportunity to potentially do some work for Phil, but it requires a trip to Phoenix to look at the business and discuss things face to face. We planned to drive there in December to check it out, so Ron put in his a request to his PO. She has been very reasonable and more than fair throughout this whole experience, always allowing us to travel to LA to see family. An out of state request was something new, and we were a little nervous about her response. Although the goal is to do whatever it takes to help Ron get work, we weren't sure what her reaction to a road trip to Phoenix would be. We were pleasantly surprised. She was extremely thorough, as she called Phil and grilled him on the purpose of the trip. In the end she approved Ron's travel, and we'll be off to Phoenix for a few days in December. It doesn't sound like much to all you travelers out there, but this will be Ron's first trip to anywhere but Los Angeles in over 6 years!

We talked about why Ron was so anxious about getting or not getting approval for our trip to Phoenix. I think it all has to do with control. Ron kept saying that if the PO said "NO," it would be no big deal, but I don't think he really felt that way. If she said no, that would be the end of it. There is no trying to convince her otherwise. It would just be another example of the control the government holds over you long after incarceration is complete. It reminds me again of something a therapist said to Ron many years ago when he first faced his problems with the government. She said that most of the things you worry about never come to pass. She was right then, and she was right again. I remember that all the time when a bad situation comes along. Your worst thoughts rarely materialize.

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving and took a few minutes to think about all you have to be grateful for. Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we forget this. It's a good time of year to remember.>p>