View Full Version : It's been over a year now...and I can finally breathe!


danielle
12-01-2004, 10:03 PM
Wayne's been home 14 months and some change and to sum it up in a few words: LIFE IS GOOD.

We're still working a lot of hours and staying gone from home for weeks at a time. In fact, I don't think we were home a single day of June and very few days in July. Work is a good thing...who knew I'd have a "new" career at thirty? And I'm working in the trenches (literally) beside of my husband. We spend - no joke - 24/7 together. To everyone's surprise, we haven't killed each other yet! :) Even now, in our "down time" we're together constantly. Today, he went to see some of his family that I'm not exactly fond of and I stayed home. I missed him while he was gone...like I hadn't seen him all day, every day! When it comes to Wayne, I'm still "giddy" for him. Ok, I love him madly!

His parole officer has been very understanding and I don't think we could ask for anyone any better. She's brand new and patient with our work schedule.

One thing that I've noticed is that he refers to prison less and less. When he's depressed over a situation (money usually) then he says, "Sometimes I wish I was back in prison." In a way I understand his mentality and in a way I don't. He sure seemed to hate it an awful lot when he was there and I remind him of that. But those references are less and less now.

We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend and had a blast doing it. It's got the same ornaments it had on it before he went to prison and the new ones we added last year and this year. This will be our second Christmas and second New Year and we just had our second Thanksgiving.

Our married life is divided into three segments. There's BP (before prison), IP (in prison) and SP (since prison). SP has been the best of the three and makes up for BP and IP. As miserable as the wait was, that time seems like a distant memory from a long, long time ago.

The most awesome thing I've learned about my guy is what a killer Scrabble player he is. God only knows how many hours we've spent playing and I'm embarassed to say that he kicks my ass most of the time. Oh, and he rubs it in!

To me, Wayne is a winner, but to the world I don't know if he's really a success now or not. He's stayed out of prison for longer periods of time and wound up going back. His parole isn't over until 2010 and once he's off paper, then I think he'll be a true success. He's spent the past 32 years either on paper or in the pen. For over three decades the DOC has dictated his movements. So, on that glorious day in just over 5 years when he's free and clear, then I'll can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt he's done "it." He'd proved "them" all wrong and made it.

I don't regret standing by him and I don't feel that time was wasted. It's not been perfect, but it's been real. I love him now more than I did the day I married him, the day he went to prison, the day he came home from prison. Hell, I love him more now than when I woke up this morning.

Ravenslove
12-01-2004, 11:13 PM
Monica, Thank you so very much. My best friend and I where just talking about when our men get out and what we can expect. It is so nice to know that there is hope and they can make it. Bless you and Wayne. I hope and pray that everything goes your way now and in the future. Please keep us updated

Maria

danielle
12-02-2004, 09:51 AM
Thanks so much for the kind words. It's not always easy...but nothing worth having ever is.

haswtch
12-02-2004, 09:58 AM
awwwww....That's GREAT.

27sbb
12-02-2004, 10:00 AM
WOW!!! My heart was warmed reading your post. I'm happy for you both!!!

1dayatatime
12-02-2004, 10:02 AM
Thanks so much! I am happy that you two are doing well. Keep us posted. Its great to hear success stories.

ONE

Trulykath
12-02-2004, 10:13 AM
girl, you know I adore reading your posts!! I relate Skip & I to you so much, and I feel my life in your words. We are off paper, and Skip will never go back...of this I'm sure.

I'm so glad things are going well for you....I laughed when I read the BP, IP, and SP. Sometimes, I still miss the man who wrote all those letters, but not enough to go looking for him. They just have so much time on their hands inside, and the things they say and write get interesting.

Keep us posted and keep up the great work. You are an inspiration to all of us who have a loved one that is going through this or went through it. It's not always easy to stick it out and stay by their side, but if you make it through, the rewards are TRULY incredible in the long run....

Take care of you!!! love ya,
kath

danielle
12-02-2004, 10:34 AM
I know what you mean about those letters....What the hell happened to that sweet, warm, loving guy??? He's not the same man who wrote those pages and pages of undying love and swore to never take me for granted. That all went out the window when he came home. He's reverted back to the same old pest he's always been. Shucks, I love him inspite of himself!!!

The "prison Wayne" is not the "Home Wayne" but I wouldn't trade the "Home Wayne" for all the "Prison Waynes" in the world!!!!

MiamiChica22
12-02-2004, 10:35 AM
Do y'all eat any baloney sandwiches working in those trenches? :D

I love a good success story! Thanks for sharing with us.

danielle
12-02-2004, 10:46 AM
LOL!!! I remind him of the bologna incident at least once a week!! ;)

He's still not laughing!!! :P

jftazzy102
12-02-2004, 11:39 AM
This really gives me great hope for when my husband comes home. It is so nice to hear a success story. And who cares what the "world" thinks of whether he is a success or not. If he is to you, then he is a sucess. Love Jeanne

Retired-26
12-02-2004, 11:55 AM
oh i love hearing things like this!! thank you sooo much for sharing and i wish you both nothing but continued happiness! love, ashtynn

DENIMBLUE
12-02-2004, 04:16 PM
...thanks for sharing... :)

lovespell
12-02-2004, 04:43 PM
That is just wonderful, I am truely happy for you! Stories like these remind me of why I do stick around! :thumbsup:

Jan7El
12-02-2004, 04:52 PM
I am so happy to hear a success story too! We need more of those!
I had to laugh when I read the part about scrabble. That is all we do on visits with our son, and yes, 99% of the time he beats us. At least these guys expand their vocab when locked up!
Keep up the good work!

deb
12-02-2004, 08:25 PM
glad to hear form you Danielle and I can't wait to hear when he finally laughs about the bologna.... ((hugs))

Deb

Lysbeth
12-03-2004, 02:06 AM
LOL!!! I remind him of the bologna incident at least once a week!! ;)

He's still not laughing!!! :P


That's OK! We still are!! :haha:

artsgirl
10-03-2005, 04:33 PM
I love hearing these success stories it really makes those of us who are waiting feel better when we get scared.