A Homecoming

ourfirstloves · #1 09-18-2006, 03:04 PM

On Wednesday, August 30th, I finally brought my best friend and love home-after twenty years. I can't begin to describe the feeling of nervousness I had, waiting for him to exit the dorms and enter the waiting room, to begin our life together. My hands shook, I kept tapping his new cell phone on my thigh, I paced, and never did sit down.

Of all days, the CO's were nearly an hour late in releasing those going home.

But when the door opened and my husband finally walked out-wearing the Italian silk shirt and pants I'd sent, I squealed like a little schoolgirl. I hadn't seen my husband in regular clothes since we we teenagers, and never in dress clothes. He was even wearing an ivory "Godfather" style hat. My God-he looked too wonderful for words!
On the drive home, we hardly talked because we were so excited. He just remarked how great it was to ride in the front seat-without shackles and a jumpsuit. He took me out to breakfast at Bob Evans in Jeffersonville, and everyone complimented us on being a beautiful couple.

Since that day, our lives have been a whirlwind of excitement, cookouts, visiting family, and most of all-a greater appreciation of freedom. His P.O. is great, and very supportive, he started work and got his first check last week, and is being a real "man" to me and my little girl. He even cooks very well and cleans.

We pray for all of you who are still waiting, hoping and praying. All too well, we know what you are going through, and give you our support. If any of you need help or advice, please feel free to email me.

Praying for You,

Cara and Derrell Jackson
Cincinnati, Oh
_________________
Never stop praying; the Lord will make a way.

Melissa_2006 · #2 09-18-2006, 03:07 PM

Congratulations!!!! You have waited long enough for this happiness, so enjoy it to the fullest!!!

Raebear · #3 09-18-2006, 04:11 PM

Praise God! Blessings to you both. Thank you for sharing the awesome news. It gave me happy chills.

reddawgsluv · #4 09-18-2006, 05:05 PM

Thats GREAT news....! Congrats...!!!! Its great to hear of success stories....!!!

fireflyzone · #5 09-18-2006, 05:32 PM

I'm so happy for you both. Worth the wait and better than you could have imagined. God bless.

Tina

Ravenslove · #6 09-18-2006, 06:25 PM

So happy for you both. please post happy pictures so we can share in your joy.

ourfirstloves · #7 09-18-2006, 07:03 PM

Everyone-Thank you all so very much for your well-wishes; my life has changed for the best!

I'm finally living again, and having a great time doing it. I never realized I could love one person so very much, but it just grows and grows more each day. And to have that same love in return-I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm glad I was strong enough to hang in there-it was very much worth it.

MsChiku · #8 09-18-2006, 08:09 PM

(((Cara and Derrell))) Congrats to you both...thank you for sharing your story and experience with us...It's been 12 yrs for my husband and I totally feel ya on being glad you were strong enough (((Cara))) to wait...God Bles you & yours

lostsugarbaby54 · #9 09-18-2006, 11:22 PM

Congratulations and every other good thing I can think of!!!!

ohiogirl · #10 09-19-2006, 06:12 AM

Cara - please let us know about how he is transitioning after 20 years.

God bless you and Darrell!

Cleveland Dee · #11 09-19-2006, 08:33 AM

Congratulations Cara and Derrell ....
Sir Hugh Walpoe said...
"The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one's relationship has a glowing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing, it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it.
It is a sort of Divine accident."

Wishing For Many Happy Tomorrows For You Both!!

saucywitch66 · #12 09-19-2006, 02:50 PM

Congratulations, (((Cara and Derrell)))

I am really pleased for you, both that things are going so well.

Blessings,

~Sophia

ourfirstloves · #13 09-19-2006, 03:51 PM

Again, thank you all for your support a good wishes.

Its truly appreciated.

As far as transitioning (OHIOGIRL), he acts as though he was never away. When he came home, he hit the ground running, so to speak. He took a week and a half to take care of some things, like shopping for jeans and other things I didn't buy in advance, got his driver's license, returned to the "scene of the crime (so to speak) in order to get some closure, visited his parent's graves, work on his van, and did yard work. He even did my neighbor's lawn without asking-for free.

He's just that kind of guy.
The following week, he signed up for-and received his allotted foodstamps-$155 worth (the one thing this state will give), met with his
P O, and started his employment.
His first night home from London, he cooked dinner for me and my little one-smothered pork chops, green beans, mashed potatoes and hot water cornbread.

Thus far, there have been no obstacles, and he's doing great. He does whatever needs to be done around the house, and never mopes or cries about the last twenty years. He told me he felt he might cry that first day home, but it passed and he's completely happy.
I pray as many as possible make the transtion to home life as Derrell has. He enjoys listening to me and my friends "girl talk", and doesn't hog the remote or the covers.

I hope this answers your questions, but feel free to ask anything.

ohiogirl · #14 09-19-2006, 03:59 PM

Thanks Cara for being so open and honest.

I try to read and TRY to know what to expect for when Bob and Randy come home...someday soon I hope and pray.

RAG4LIFE · #15 09-19-2006, 04:06 PM

Wow....Congratulations 2 u

!! I can feel the excitement in your post. :fb: May you two be blessed with 20+ more years together!!

kensgirlval · #16 09-19-2006, 04:13 PM

congrats on the homecoming, i wish you both nothing but happiness

ourfirstloves · #17 09-20-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohiogirl

Thanks Cara for being so open and honest.

I try to read and TRY to know what to expect for when Bob and Randy come home...someday soon I hope and pray.

Ohiogirl-Make sure to keep Bob and Randy updated on all types of current events, and if you can afford a hometown newspaper subscription-all the better. Things like that exercise their minds. Derrell had a subscription up until his last year, and I was always sending him email funnies and things he usually didn't see. That's one of the reasons he came out after so long with his mind intact. Play trivia games with them-like on old tv shows or music.

If you need any other suggestions or info, just ask. That goes for all of you.

ohiogirl · #18 09-20-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ourfirstloves

Ohiogirl-Make sure to keep Bob and Randy updated on all types of current events, and if you can afford a hometown newspaper subscription-all the better. Things like that exercise their minds. Derrell had a subscription up until his last year, and I was always sending him email funnies and things he usually didn't see. That's one of the reasons he came out after so long with his mind intact. Play trivia games with them-like on old tv shows or music.

If you need any other suggestions or info, just ask. That goes for all of you.

Well, then we are on the right track.

Both of them are avid readers (books, law books, newspapers) and thinkers (world news, current events, ociety, etc). They both exercise regularly and keep their bodies healthy.

Bob and I send "stuff envelopes" to each other all the time (puzzles, comics, funny happenings).

PLUS...lots of prayer for strength, peace and hope from Jesus Christ!

Thanks Cara!!

djenkins · #19 10-17-2006, 01:28 PM

I know I'm late but I had to reply anyway! I am so happy for you. Reading your story gave me so much hope and happiness! I am so happy for you!!!

Missinmysweety · #20 10-18-2006, 06:05 PM

Congratulations, your story gave me chills. I cant wait for the day i watch my husband walk out into the free world!

ourfirstloves · #21 10-23-2006, 10:08 AM

Thank you a bunch, djenkins and missinmysweety!

We appreciate all well-wishes. Everything has been going great-no set backs, and even after all these years-no adjustment issues. Like he never left home.
We joke about things that used to go on in LOCI but its like a distant memory. He likes for us to dress alike when we go out of the house, he sometimes brings me breakfast to work on the way to his job, and we take turns cooking meals at home. Its wonderful! His P.O is still great-she goes to see him, rather than have him take off work.
I can hardly wait for the holidays to get here-our first ones together at home.

Take care, ladies. We''l keep in touch.