G'day all.....

Well looks like things around here have changed a little.(smiles)

My trip went well, except the part of me sitting in the back of the plane being sick for 2 hours straight, before arriving at my destination. Not a good thought but very real and true. Travelling over 30 hours may of been a factor, Maybe too many emotions and nerves. Who knows??
He rang me at my Motel that night to make sure i got there safely, and we said how we looked forward to meeting in the flesh the next morning if i was well enough. Funny how life is.
I thought to myself how are we going to talk for all this time, 5 hours a day for 9 days? Really i should have known better. We did nothing but talk. He is such a good person and i feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to get to know him more. We laughed, we cried, he made me lunch from the vending machines every day. Cooking it in the microwave. Just to think, he had not only not used one nor seen one 6 months ago, but now he is making me lunch. How things can change in a short amount of time.
We hugged and kissed hello, held each others hands. Not believing we were really there in front of one another. It was really good. Took lots of pictures everyday.
Honestly the CO's there were great, and i'm not just saying that. They were really nice. I couldn't speak highly enough about them. From my first day arriving there with only $50.00 notes to put in this card machine that would allow us money to spend on the vending machines inside the prison.Would only take $20 or less in notes. One of the guys (CO) gave me change from his wallett, then also gave me a quarter to use the lockers. These people were nothing like all the stories i had heard about. I talked at length with a select few, shared jokes. They honestly are like everyone else. Just trying to do a hard job the best way they can.
Yes, we were corrected a few times for too much touching, there touching is me not touching his face, feeling his smooth skin.(smile)
We went to a non denominational church service on Sunday together, which was a whole other experience in it's self. We got to walk outside a little and experience more sights and scenes, of the guys doing rec time. Inside the Church the guys from the prison made up the choir. One young man especially sang solo, his voice just about made me cry, it/he was so amazing.
This experience is one that will be repeated in time and not forgotten or taken for granted that is for sure.
Yeh i saw a few sad things as well in the visiting room and funny ones. From the guys having different girls come in on different days and think there the one and only. To the guy have 2 ladies show up at the same time.
I have learnt so many things these past few weeks, about myself my family and a dear friend.
One thing i know for sure is no matter who you are, or what your crime on society may have been there is always room for change, and much more room for friendship and love if you are just willing to feel the fear and do it anyway. These people behind bars really do need our support, understanding and love, some more than others.
I could say much more, but i'm sure you get the picture.
I hope everyone has been well and look forward to talking soon......Michelle

__________________
If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

Wow Michelle! That was very inspiring!
"One thing i know for sure is no matter who you are, or what your crime on society may have been there is always room for change, and much more room for friendship and love if you are just willing to feel the fear and do it anyway." That is especially true!!!
Thank you for sharing that. I can't wait to meet my PP!
Jess

__________________
"Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once; just once, understand.”

I remember your post before leaving and stated,, you were scared crapless"grins"

Welcome back and good to hear all went great ,,time sure flys fast.

__________________

Thank you for sharing this with us. you trip sounds amazing and makes me feel fortunate that my guy is an hour car trip away and that we are able to visit each weekend. I am sure you both have many memories that will last a lifetime>
Trena

__________________
Love never felt like this before...for the way he looks at me makes everything amazing!!!

Welcome back, Michelle. I'm so happy that your visit was all that you had hoped for and more! It sounds awesome - makes me want to visit my pal more than ever.

__________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Michelle, so happy to hear your visits went so well. Also good to hear there are some nicer CO's out there too!

Wow, Smiley!! That sounds like an awesome trip. I 'm glad that it went so well for you and that you had such a marvelous time with your PP. Nothing can ever make up for never having seen your PP, in person. I'm glad that you were able to make it, and that your friendship will continue to grow.
Dave

__________________
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy.

Thanks all, for your replies.

I am so pleased i went, so many times we leave things, thinking next time, next year and make all kinds of excuses for ourselves, like i need to loose a little weight first, save a little more, etc, etc. When really we just lack a little courage and faith. I know all the emotions i went through before i left.
One thing i truly know is don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today, because honestly you don't know whats around that corner. Life is too short for regretts. You only have one life they say, so spend it wisely. All i can say is... it's the best thing i have done for myself and my family.

__________________
If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

YAY smiley ~ Im so glad it went well (apart from the chuckin ya guts ) what a great pal you are, welcome home!!!!!

dreamer

__________________
"The power of the voice instead of the hand ~ the power of the voice makes him a man"

~Koori prison song~

You are so right, Smiley.
I know that I kept thinking, kept thinking and kept thinking that I needed to go visit my PP. And finally, this past winter, I realized that I needed to quit thinking and simply do it!
That was one of the best decisions of my life. As it turned out, it was the last opportunity that I would ever have to see my PP. It has left me with some warm memories that I will never forget.
NOW, is the time to do it, if at all possible.

__________________
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy.