With Thanksgiving approaching there is much that I am thankful for. Since my husband was put in jail on November 6, I thought that this month would just drag on and on......NO! Thankfully, due to family, work, teaching, playing, nursing sick parents and an elderly dog back to health, this month has just flown by!!! All thanks to God, his family, my family and friends, I am getting stronger day by day.

I am getting stronger due to a renewed mindset-relish the precious moments. The moments when I receive that email telling me that my husband has sent me a message. The moments when a student performs a new piece flawlessly after weeks of hard work. The moments where my dog curls up besides me and puts her head in my lap when I shed a tear.

After just three short weeks, my husband has phone and email permissions. Mail get's there pretty quickly, especially when all there is in it is a card or a note....nothing else. Today he tells me that he's getting acclimated to life on the inside. He's holding his own, and he's segregated with other SO's, and they all pretty much leave each other alone. He has received a visit every week from his dad. I missed one week because I had to travel out of town to care for my elderly parents. That episode, by the way, I think was divine intervention....God knew I needed to take care of someone, and He gave that opportunity at just the right moment. I returned from that experience a fighting woman, ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. The end of this month (Dec 5) means that it'll be 19 months till my husband's release on parole-HOPEFULLY!!!!

My husband has started to write again, and he's reading more, which is a good thing. While they don't have access to a library at the county jail, books somehow get smuggled in, and the cellies trade back and forth the books that they get. He's also reading his bible, which is large print due to his visual limitations. At last Saturday's visit, he seemed in better spirits and more talkative. He looked good as well. His messages are more upbeat as well-which is hopeful to say the least. He called me today worried because there is a tv on at the county jail, and he heard on the local news at 11 that there was a wreck close to where we live, and he was afraid that I was involved-I can't tell ya'll how much it warms me how he thinks about me. I am so blessed to have him as a husband despite the mistakes he's made.

I wish for all of you God's blessings this Thanksgiving. For those of you that are with your entire families-relish and cherish the moments that you have with them. They are just too precious and you never know when you'll be without them. For those with loved ones on the inside-keep strong and keep the faith. One day, they will return.

Peace.