Now that I've had a couple of days to process my thoughts on visitation, a few things stand out:
1. The overwhelming majority of the men at the center are buff. Apparently, after detox, it's time to hit the weights, and hit the weights they do. My husband will not be able to use the weight room until he has been there for 30 days, but he has lost a little bit of weight (not that he had much to lose) and is already appearing to be more fit.
2. Candy not only helps with cravings during detox, but it also functions as "currency", much like cigarettes in prison. As mentioned in a previous post, one of the things my husband requested prior to our visit was candy -- LOTS of candy. He is now well funded.
3. There were children everywhere! I was not expecting that! I don't know what I was expecting, but not that. And it struck me that we are not alone in this. There are other children -- sons, daughters, little brothers, little sisters -- walking the same road as my children. That revelation made me both happy and sad.
4. There were very, very few wives. That broke my heart.
Kelley, you continually amaze me with your journaling. I so appreciate your candor and honesty, This recent one left me thinking, "If I were in Kelley's shoes on that first visit, I'd probably have just bawled the whole time, HARDLY leaving me able to notice much else but my self." But you did notice others, and now you share it. Addiction/Dependency... it is a hard road to turn from, and I pray for all of you as you go through this. I am a "child-survivor" of a home FRAUGHT with addiction, and recognize so many of the things you share. Thank you for sharing... it gives others the courage to share their troubles- and we ALL have them. But as the saying goes, "Tough times don't last, Tough PEOPLE do." Hang in there, and keep letting Christ carry you through this. He is so able, and we are so not. Love ya all! Joyce
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joyce. I would really like to pick your brain sometime, so I might better understand this whole experience (and the last decade) from my children’s perspective.
ReplyDelete