Trulykath
10-02-2003, 09:30 AM
WOW....what a week. It started well over a week ago....last Tuesday nite, I had to make arrangements to go out of town on business. Last Wednesday was a 21 hour day for (inclusive of flights into 2 states). I got home around midnite, and had to work Thursday. I had a really hard time sleeping Thursday nite, and I was up at the crack of dawn FRIDAY MORNING....IT WAS FINALLY HERE!!!!
I arrived at the unit at 7am. I was told where to park, and I brought a book (not sure what I was thinking there...I couldn't have read if you paid me). They finally told us we could pull around to the pick up area. I could see him thru the fence. It seemed to take forever, but they finally opened the gate....and he was in my arms. I didn't cry...I was ready to leave. I wanted far away from the place we'd called home the last few months. I wanted it behind me....not even a speck in my rear view mirror.
We went to see his neice, and took her to lunch. I sat and watched him eat. I watched the little things....ice in glasses, metal utensils, all the food he wanted...food that actually tasted like something. He used condiments freely, almost as if he felt like someone might take away the salt and sugar.
We got home to see the kids, and I found myself asking him WAY too many times...."do you need anything" and "are you hungry?". He knew I meant well, but in ways, I'm sure I was overwhelming him. I offered him all the toilet paper and fresh towels for showering I could find. I offered him soap, shampoo, toothpaste. I offered him privacy. He told me (and true to his word), that his shower would be long. I smiled at his again-found space.
Saturday, we headed to Houston....and it was good to have him next to me in the car. We talked a LOT. He talked about things inside....I listened. Sunday morning, his family came in for the welcome home party, and we shared great food &, great company.
Monday, we went to parole. We were there almost 2 hours, but it didn't seem that long. We ran errands, and I came home and it all finally hit me. I slept for over 3 hours. I remember laying down and thinking..."he's in the next room...he's home, and he's safe." It was the first time in many months I could actually lay down and sleep peacefully. It was the first time, in a LONG time, I didn't feel worried about ANYTHING. I guess I needed that.
Tuesday and Wednesday, we ran errands and just enjoyed each other's company. I had to come home last nite (he is currently in Houston, I live near Dallas). I had to get back to work, my kids, etc.....It was hard to leave him again, but I was grateful to call him when I got home.
I know it's all going to be OK. I know we still have work ahead of us, but in time, things will settle down. I know this whole ordeal could have torn us up or bonded our souls, and it was good to look into his eyes, and know we had passed the test. It is good to have him home.....
kath
I arrived at the unit at 7am. I was told where to park, and I brought a book (not sure what I was thinking there...I couldn't have read if you paid me). They finally told us we could pull around to the pick up area. I could see him thru the fence. It seemed to take forever, but they finally opened the gate....and he was in my arms. I didn't cry...I was ready to leave. I wanted far away from the place we'd called home the last few months. I wanted it behind me....not even a speck in my rear view mirror.
We went to see his neice, and took her to lunch. I sat and watched him eat. I watched the little things....ice in glasses, metal utensils, all the food he wanted...food that actually tasted like something. He used condiments freely, almost as if he felt like someone might take away the salt and sugar.
We got home to see the kids, and I found myself asking him WAY too many times...."do you need anything" and "are you hungry?". He knew I meant well, but in ways, I'm sure I was overwhelming him. I offered him all the toilet paper and fresh towels for showering I could find. I offered him soap, shampoo, toothpaste. I offered him privacy. He told me (and true to his word), that his shower would be long. I smiled at his again-found space.
Saturday, we headed to Houston....and it was good to have him next to me in the car. We talked a LOT. He talked about things inside....I listened. Sunday morning, his family came in for the welcome home party, and we shared great food &, great company.
Monday, we went to parole. We were there almost 2 hours, but it didn't seem that long. We ran errands, and I came home and it all finally hit me. I slept for over 3 hours. I remember laying down and thinking..."he's in the next room...he's home, and he's safe." It was the first time in many months I could actually lay down and sleep peacefully. It was the first time, in a LONG time, I didn't feel worried about ANYTHING. I guess I needed that.
Tuesday and Wednesday, we ran errands and just enjoyed each other's company. I had to come home last nite (he is currently in Houston, I live near Dallas). I had to get back to work, my kids, etc.....It was hard to leave him again, but I was grateful to call him when I got home.
I know it's all going to be OK. I know we still have work ahead of us, but in time, things will settle down. I know this whole ordeal could have torn us up or bonded our souls, and it was good to look into his eyes, and know we had passed the test. It is good to have him home.....
kath