Prisoners are persons whom most of us would rather not think about. Banished from everyday sight, they exist in a shadow world that only dimly enters our awareness. They are members of a "total institution" that controls their daily existence in a way that few of us can imagine. "[P]rison is a complex of physical arrangements and of measures, all wholly governmental, all wholly performed by agents of government, which determine the total existence of certain human beings (except perhaps in the realm of the spirit, and inevitably there as well) from sundown to sundown, sleeping, walking, speaking, silent, working, playing, viewing, eating, voiding, reading, alone, with others. . . ." It is thus easy to think of prisoners as members of a separate netherworld, driven by its own demands, ordered by its own customs, ruled by those whose claim to power rests on raw necessity. -- Justice William Brennan, dissenting in O’Lone v. Estate of Shabazz, 482 U.S. 342, 354-55 (1987).

Friday, March 30, 2007

The Last Supper

Tonight, Amanda and I had dinner together at OceanAire, an awesome seafood restaurant that Ronna recommended. Split a scrumptious crabcake for appetizer. Amanda had stuffed flounder and I had blackened mahi-mahi and we shared a side dish of creamed risotto. Finally, split a piece of maybe the best (and biggest) key lime pie I have ever had. We had to "bag" much of it so she will be enjoying it while I am gone :(

It was nice for just the two of us to spend time together one last time.... the proverbial "last meal" I suppose.

Reality is setting in and it is sobering. In less than 12 hours, I will have entered "the rabbit hole."

Amanda has been amazing. She is really much more sympathetic than I sometimes teasingly portray her. I know she will be fine while I am gone and has a good support base but I am sure it will be difficult at times.

I am curious, but not really apprehensive, about how the separation will affect us. I think we are strong together and I think we will be strong apart for this brief separation. I love you dear.

One last night in my own bed. Good night.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment