I've taken a lot of things for granted in this life: family, friends, possessions, etc. However, the most important thing I ever took this way was something very simple, Freedom. You never really know what you are missing until it is taken from you. It's the small things that I do now that make me realize that freedom is indeed precious. Little things like being able to watch a TV show in peace, being able to go to the restroom by yourself with no chance of anyone watching you, air conditioning, going to a restaurant (before I was locked up I hated McDonalds but now I'll tear up a Big Mac :)), drinking a cold soda water, being able to get up at 2 a.m. and run down to the convenience store for a pint of icecream and a bag of chips... You get the idea.

One of the first things I did after I got settled in at home was take a trip to a grocery store. It was one of those "super" stores that have just about everything. Before I was locked up I never gave grocery shopping a second thought, as a matter of fact, it was just one of those things you have to do, indeed at times it was a chore. As I made my way through the aisles placing items in my basket, I found myself smiling. People that saw me probably thought I was crazy or up to something because nobody is supposed to be this happy grocery shopping. I think I must have bought everything that I wasn't able to buy or have during the almost 4 years I was away.

I look at life totally different now. I will never again put myself in a position to have my freedom taken from me. I've still got a little under 5 more years to do on parole but I know I'll get through it fine. I report as scheduled, pay my fees, pee in the bottle when they tell me to and sit at the house waiting for the Parole Officers home visits, all with a smile on my face.

Please, of all things in life, freedom isn't to be taken for granted.

God Bless and Good Luck To All,


Ralph Christensen
rpchristensen@networkwaco.com

Ralph,

Thank you for this feedback. I hadn't read all of these posts under this forum yet, but if any of the others are like yours, I need to. See, I have probably more anxieties about parole than my fiance.

Since you are in TX, do you know if the parole fees are standard or are they individual based on the person? Can you give me an idea about how much they run on the average? I'm trying to plan ahead and hoping to have her "home" this time next year, but with TDCJ, one should not hold their breath.

Jim

Jim,

I pay $18.00 a month. Of that $10.00 is my actual supervision fee. The other $8.00 goes to the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The $8.00 is dependant on your offense date and I'm not totally sure after what date that is effective from but 1992 comes to mind. These are pretty much the standard fees, I don't have restitution, fines or anything like that to pay.

Good Luck to you.


Ralph Christensen
rpchristensen@networkwaco.com

Thanks Ralph-for a very enlightning post

Thanks, Ralph. That explains a lot. :)

I'm still unsure about how fines work in Texas as I've received contradictory information. LOL.. figures, huh?

Jim

Hello Ralph... I completely understand what you are talking about. When I was first released and got settled into home... I remember standing in the bathroom, (with the door closed), looking into a real mirror! It seemed so childish at the time.. standing there making faces at myself, steadily brushing my hair... but it is the little things that made me love my freedom. Hehe, how about the first time you drove a car when you got out? Was that an awesome experience for you? I know it was for me!
Just wanted to say that I can relate to what you said. Before I got locked up, I took everything for granted. I'm now in year 4 of my probation after release.. and I am always reminded not to take freedom for granted.

Jodygirl

Jim... I had my probation transferred to Texas from NC. Right now, I pay $220.00 a month. $60.00 of which goes to my supervision fee. So, I don't know how they figure that out.

Jodygirl

jb,
i send my best for you and yours, it is not the parole meetings and peeing in a cup and paying for fines that is hard. it is the readjustment phase for your loved ones that can be hard- i truly hope yer lady will be with you next year. what a joy!! stay strong and be willing to believe that we can tear down these walls that keep our families and friends isolated with the tactic of a true love. It is with true love that i hold my convictions and beleif for the end of all prisons. And a more sane and just society.
in all out struggle and hope,
relentless

Jodygirl,

I feel better now knowing I was not the only one who was happy to see a real mirror. I thought I was going to be permenatley hazy and distorted.

Ralph, I just wanted to write and say Thank You for Sharing your Feelings with us! I too was Locked up and That was also what I missed the most, beside my Family! I will never again take my freedom for Granted either! Congratulations on being Free!

Ralph...

I really enjoyed reading your post.. it was a wake up call as to how much I really do take things for granted.. You're parole will be done and over with before you know it! So keep your head up! God Bless you!


ihaveawedgie1986@yahoo.com

Stephanie Smith

RALPH
I HAVE NEVER BEEN LOCKED UP TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT FREEDOM, BUT WE ALL TAKE TOO MUCH IN OUR LIVES FOR GRANTED THESE DAYS AND SOMETIMES IT IS VERY COSTLY IN MANY WAYS. BUT MY SON HAS BEEN IN PRISON AND HE IS BACK IN NOW AFTER BEING OUT FOR OVER 10 YEARS, HE HAS BEEN IN THIS TIME FOR 2 YRS AND 6 MONTHS, HE GOT 5 YRS FOR A DWI. HE TALKS TO ME WHEN I VISIT HIM ABOUT HE WILL BE A DIFFERENT SON WHEN HE GETS TO COME HOME. HE SAYS HE HAS HAD TIME TO THINK AND REALIZE THAT ME AND HIS DAD ARE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER AND HE SEES ALL THAT HE HAS MISSED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS WHILE HE WAS DRINKING HEAVY. HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO MAKE UP ALL THOSE YEARS TO US WHEN HE GETS OUT. SO HIS DAD AND HIS MOM (ME) ARE THE MOST HE MISSES WHILE IN NOW. BUT THE FIRST TIME HE SAID HE COULD GO TO THE BATHROOM AND TAKE A BATH OR WHAT EVER WITHOUT SOMEONE WATCHING HIM, AND AT LAST HE COULD SLEEP IN A REAL BED WITH THE LITES ON IF HE WANTED THEM ON. SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF YOUR LIFE AND FREEDOM AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST DAY. BE CAREFUL AND NOT GO BACK IN. YOU KNOW ABOUT GROCERY SHOPPING YOU TALKED ABOUT, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IS A FREEDOM WE HAVE ALSO SO ENJOY EVERYTIME YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BUY AND EAT ALL THAT JUNK FOOD YOU WANT.
GOD BLESS YOU AND WATCH OVER YOU ALWAYS. IRIST

Ralph,

Well put! Congratulations to you and keep on keeping strong through this. I am sure whatever restrictions parole put on you are minor in relation to having the ultimate freedom.

All the best to you!

Ralph & jodygirl,
I too just paroled after 4 years & eight months. I can relate to all of what you have said. One of the things I remember saying to my roomates while locked up was, what I would do to be able to be stuck on the freeway in traffic. I've been out just now 60 days and am enjoying family friends & 12 steps. I look at things differently now. I really got to know myself over the years and like what I see in the mirror .
Keep up th e good work.

Lizzy Girl