As most of you know, this was the first Christmas I spent free in a very long time. I got caught up in the hustle and bustle, the gifts, the music. You name it and I was caught up in it and it was WONDERFUL!

I had such a wonderful time. I missed everything while I was incarcerated but one of the main things I missed was just the spirit of the season. In prison, we try to forget that it is Christmas, but not out here. Here it is done with style. It started the day after Thanksgiving and will be ending shortly. I will be sad to see it go.

I think my favorite part (not including friends, family and the celebration of Jesus's birth) has got to be the decorations. Some people went all out. I do not remember it being this extravagant 19 years ago. There are blow up characters everywhere and the purple lights are new to me. The house decorations were just wonderful and really brought the season to life for me. I will be sad to see it go, but I cannot wait for the New Year.

I hope all of you had a Happy Holiday and were able to celebrate this year. I know sometimes it is hard with memories, family, etc, but there is healing inside each of us. If I could give only one gift, the gift of healing would be my choice. Unfortunately, it is not a gift to give, it is one we must find within ourselves, but it is there.

Thank you all for all of your support and warm wishes. This has truly been a holiday season I will never forget.