OJ is back.
After weeks of negotiations with the major and warden about moving back to R-pad, it finally went through. It took some gathering of allies on the pod, but it did happen. Omar and I even put together a celebratory meal to welcome him back. Prison pizza followed by a couple of good games of Munchkin is hard to beat for a good time around here.
Lelan also came back last night and was at work this morning. I got to hear about his vacation during our lunch break. He had a personal meeting with the parole folks, too, a conversation just long enough to require a leave from the unit. He would have been back sooner, but somehow got lost in the system during transit. If that isn't a scary anecdote from prison - escape, lost parole, injury - and no one would know anything because the person isn't in the system. I can think of one good way to cut down that problem. Bookkeeping is easier with less to keep track of, so, let many of us go, especially those of us with technical probation or parole violations. We were sent here because we were, at most, a headache for our probation officer, not because we were a threat to society.
Last week during lockdown had a trade of friends - one left the unit while one came back.
It seems too often that a friend leaves around here. I've noticed myself almost subconsciously screening guys when I meet them. If you leave within the next few months, sorry, I don't want to get to know you just before you leave. However, if you'll be here more than a year, I'll hang out. Even out of the guys I've gotten to know pretty well, there have only been a few that have written even once after we separated.
When I showed up in the library for inventory, my boss told me that my good buddy, Lelan, had left the previous day. Lelan was a guy I had been in choir with earlier in the year and, for some reason, we just clicked. We spent time in the library when he needed encouragement and I would duck out and wander to the office where he worked if I needed a pick-me-up of my own. My boss said he would be back in a couple weeks, which I hope is true. I'm going to miss our conversations on life if he stays gone.
On the flip side, the same day that Lelan left, my close friend OJ came back. I thought he had left in parole, but he only went to have a chat in person with some parole folks. When he was her in my pod, he would make sure my laundry came out white like the other laundry workers' clothes. In the time he's been gone my clothes have gotten a bit dingy, so, for that reason it's good to have him back. Really though, I'm hoping he gets back to the dorm soon so we can game again.
I had a visit from Sandy and Betsy today. This second meeting was far less awkward for me. I knew what to expect instead of spending the day wondering. It was different right from the start when I recognized both of them, and they also knew who they were looking for. Their smiles upon seeing me were the kind of encouragement I get from anyone else who visits me.
We sat down at a table and launched into conversation. I heard all about their Christmas and family dynamics around the holidays. They asked me new questions about my life here and prior to incarceration. The rest of the two hours were spent just talking life in general like any conversation you might have over lunch with a friend.
What a great Christmas gift to see these two wonderful women. I am so blessed by all the friends, some of which I barely knew before my arrest, who write me. Contact with these folks has been such motivation for me. The community of Christ is amazing and full of good surprises. I really appreciate all of you who write, even if it does take me a little time to write back.
* Three Friends - acrylic by Harry Rich
Today was a day I had been anticipating for some time. I had the chance to finally meet two women - mom and daughter - that I have been corresponding with for at least a year. It has been really cool to get to know them through writing, but sooner or later I would have to see Sandy and Betsy face-to-face so I could put a voice and personality to the letters.
Moving to this unit so close to home allowed our introduction to come quickly. When I heard from my mom that they would be coming today, I was pretty excited. That excited feeling mutated into anxiety, then nervousness. This would be my first time to meet them, and it takes place in a prison. What kind of meeting is that? Also, I haven't talked with any women I don't know in years. After being around men 24/7 won't it be awkward? As the time drew closer I had all these thoughts going through my head and I wanted everything as perfect as it could be. It felt kind of like a first date with someone you've never met, except in my case it was two someones.
Okay, so I'm waiting in the visitation room for Sandy and Betsy to arrive through the door. Will I recognize them as the people in the photo sent to me? Yep, there they are coming in. Now, are they going to greet with a hug? Yep, arms out from Sandy and a wonderful first embrace. And Betsy, too. We sit at a table and Sandy goes to get snacks. Rumored to be a talker, I was hoping Sandy would get us through the two hours, but now she's gone. What do I talk about?
The first few minutes were strange but I settled into the fact that, yes, these are the same people who had been writing and, yes, they are both wonderful people. We talked all over the place - what prison is like, vacations, living overseas, family, music, on and on. It was as if I had been reunited with two old friends. The two hours flew by far too quickly. As we hugged goodbye, I couldn't help but hope to see them again soon.
Today I had a great visit from my two best friends from back home in Fort Worth. They have been married since I came to prison and I haven't seen the husband since before I was arrested almost 2 1/2 years ago. Even after all that time he was wearing a shirt I got for him with my employee discount at American Eagle. Some things never change.They brought a roll of quarters and when the wife asked me what I wanted from the vending machines, I said Sprite and Skittles - my usual for a visit. She said she would get me something else and wanted to know what else to get. "Surprise me," I said.
Well, surprise me she did. She came back with four bags of sweets and four bags of chips in addition to the Skittles and drink. It was a glutton's heaven.
"You better eat quickly if you want to finish it all." she said. After my thanks, I said I would probably have to share some with other guys, which I did. That was a lot of food.
As I stuffed my face with junk food, we caught up on all the goings-on where we are. I told them all about my new unit and I heard how all my other friends were doing. They shared their plans for moving up to Indiana so the husband could take on a short-term missions coordinator position. If it happens - and it looks like it will - they will be leaving next summer. That means I need to get out sooner rather than later if I'm going to spend any time with them. I already missed their wedding. Life goes by quickly out there while I'm at a standstill here.
