December 24 (Day 58)

Christmas eve. This morning I got a letter from Santa Claus. I wrote to him as a joke. I didn’t expect a response, but he wrote back and said “there’s still hope Reggie”.

I’m not depressed but it did cheer me up quite a bit. So much can happen when you write a letter. Words are powerful things.

We played some Risk and Scrabble tonight which I really enjoyed. Being in jail isn’t all that bad, even during the holidays. You just have to accept the fact that you’re here and being depressed and angry doesn’t help anything.

I called [my wife] tonight. I was hoping to talk to [my kids] but I only got to talk to [my wife] for a bit. They’ll all be in to see me tomorrow anyway.

I bought six Cherry Blossoms from the canteen and wrapped them up as gifts (from Santa, of course) for the guys in the unit. I hope it makes things just a little bit better for them tomorrow.

Some people get a bit stressed out this time of year, away from their families. I just try to take it one day at a time and stay optimistic. Eventually things will return to normal for me. So now I wish myself a merry Christmas and go to sleep.

December 25 (Day 59) Christmas

Christmas has come to us, even here in Sleepy Hollow. I put out my stocking last night and wrapped up gifts and put one in front of everybody’s door. When I got up there was a new toothbrush in my sock and the guys were accusing me of giving the gifts. If felt good this morning. It was like the spirit of Christmas was here. I was remembering what it was like when I was a kid.

We had chocolate milk with our dinner today which was quite a treat for in here. Ice cream too.

All the family was in to see me at one o’clock. [My daughter] was very pretty, as she always is. I didn’t really get to talk to [my middle brother]. I’m hoping he’ll be in by himself soon. [my wife] told me that [my former store manager]. l is working at the [Days of Wine & Beer] store for the asshole who took over, that really pissed me off. I felt betrayed and I think I’ll let [my former store manager]. l know how I feel.

After I got back to the unit, I called Mike [me, his oldest brother] and talked to him for a while. He’s going to send some books I can use to study on the computer here. The time should go faster when I get to use the computers. Also, I found out that I can get some crossword puzzle books brought in. That’ll give me something to do when things are quiet here.

Two of the guys in our unit, Dean and Abby, got out for 12 hours today (TA – temporary absence). They seemed to enjoy their time out. I wasn’t eligible for a TA but I’m not sure that I would want one anyway. It might just be a tease and make my time harder. Anyway, I stayed here so it doesn’t matter. Christmas has come and gone. Now I await the new year.