Dear Ruby,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! When I was free, I always loved Thanksgiving, Christmas too, this whole time of year really. Being in a warm house with family, smiling and laughing, eating together. My favorite thing was after Thanksgiving dinner, coming home and that evening your mom and I would play Christmas music, drink hot chocolate, and you, Kyleigh, and Dylan would help us decorate the tree. It was one of those moments in my life that made me feel like a normal person with a normal family, like on TV or the movies. Initially it made me sad to think of missing that for not only another year but permanently with that family. However, knowing your mom, that tradition is no doubt still being carried on with Colby and Seth. while it admittedly stings knowing that someone else is getting that time with you, i take comfort in knowing that you are at least getting those precious childhood memories. When I get home I just hope you will want to spend some holiday time with me as well.
Are you getting excited for Christmas? Your birthday is just a month after that too! I’m very confident that by the next holiday season we will finally be able to talk to and maybe even see each other. I just keep trusting that God will work this out, in the meantime I’ll continue to do everything possible to facilitate it.
I am currently awaiting mail call to see if the newer pictures of you have arrived yet. If not, I’ll have to wait until Monday (it’s Friday).
I got back into school after missing a day over some misinformation regarding the status of my GED. Now it is all resolved thanks to Aunt Jodi and Grandma Babe. They are my two main advocates out there. I got to see Grandma Babe and Uncle Frankie on Monday! It was so nice to finally see them. A few other people have been promising to come see me soon. It is pretty exciting, truth be told, it kind of hurts to walk back into prison afterwards. But it is worth it! Soon I hope you will be visiting.
Love, Daddy
Letters to Ruby 