| Believe it or not, love can survive, even if your | | | | makes his own, which are very special to me. |
| husband, boyfriend or lover is in prison. My husband | | | | 3. Photos...I keep photos of my husband throughout |
| and I are prime examples, and not only has ourlove | | | | the house...in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen...In |
| survived, but it has grown stronger with each passing | | | | the beginning I would go to the refridgerator and hug |
| day...with each beat of our hearts. I like the saying, | | | | it, where his picture was...I would talk to his picture. I |
| "we are 2 hearts that beat as one." | | | | also carry a pix of the both of us, with our dog , on |
| My husband has been within the prison system for | | | | my keychain. When he first went to prison, I mailed |
| the past 23 months. We have benn married for 4 | | | | him at least close to 100 pictures of us. He was able |
| years, of which 23 months we have been seperated | | | | to put them in photo albums and he would happily |
| by prison walls. But we have proven that "love | | | | show his pix to the other guys. And yes, my hubby |
| prevails," and not even prison walls can keep us | | | | would sleep with those photo books under his pillow, |
| apart! | | | | he missed me so much. |
| "How do you both do it?" you may ask. It is easy, | | | | 4. Share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions on the |
| and in this article, I hope to give you a few basic tips. | | | | phone. Tell him if you are lonely...or even angry....it is |
| First of all, it does help to be madly "in love" with | | | | ok to be honest. After all, your husband is in prison, |
| each other! Then, the rest becomes easy! | | | | and you are allowed to feel what you feel.....but most |
| 1. Keep in close contact by the phone. As most | | | | of all, tell him you "love him." ...a little "love talk" will |
| prison wives know, prison calls are highly expensive. | | | | get you through those lonely days and nights. |
| If you are able to, accept those collect calls. If you | | | | 5. Daydream about your husband. Think abotu those |
| are not capable of it, keep in close contact through | | | | past days with him, and think about how the future |
| the mail. I send my husband letters, computer | | | | will be when he gets home. Yes, daydream, and at |
| print-outs of articles and information he is interested | | | | night dream...and imagine he is still there next to you |
| in, newspaper clippings. I keep manilla envelopes at | | | | at night...Think about each other, as much as you can! |
| home and throughout the week I slip things of | | | | 6. Keep the household together while he is gone. |
| interest into the envelope...Then I make at least one, | | | | Also, do something for yourself, to make you a |
| if not more trips to the post office to mail letters | | | | better person...for example, take a college course, or |
| and envelopes to him. At my post-office I am a well- | | | | go to adult school...get involved in church |
| known face for the past 23 months! | | | | activities...join the choir!..do volunteer work, at the |
| 2. Send him lots of cards for holidays, and other | | | | hospital or nursing home...try to put a little sunshine in |
| times. It helps me to not only think of him while | | | | the lives of others...try not to concentrate on the |
| looking for "that perfect card," but he enjoys | | | | difficulties you are going through at this time... |
| receiving them, and often shows them to the fellow | | | | 7. Look forward to the future, and know that you |
| inmates. Remember that "mail-time' is a very | | | | are getting there, even though it is one step at a |
| important time of the day when in prison. Some guys | | | | time. Be strong and positive that your love will |
| never even receive mail...it is almost a game or | | | | survive......For us, it is easy, because, "we love each |
| competition with the guys as how much mail they | | | | other very much...and that is simply that...prison or |
| receive....The inmates would always joke around with | | | | not"! |
| my husband that his wife was going to cause the | | | | I hope this article has made your day a little more |
| mailroom to 'close,' as I was sending him so much | | | | positive, and that I helped you through another |
| mail. | | | | day....Happy Valentine's Day!.........and don't forget to tell |
| .....Valentine's day is a few days away...I have sent | | | | your husband, lover, boyfriend, or whoever else is in |
| several cards to my husband, and he has sent me 7 | | | | your life, "I love you."...Those are 3 very important |
| cards!....if there are times he cannot buy cards, he | | | | words! |