The Perfect Weekend in Federal Prison
May 22, 2016
Yes, it is possible to have a perfect weekend in prison! I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while because I had two fantastic visits scheduled.
On Friday, pretty much the entire management team from Glaukos came to visit me! As most of you know, Glaukos is the company I had the great privilege to work for during the five years leading up to my current incarceration. The past 16 months has been the longest period of time that I have not had an intellectually stimulating job since I started with Allergan back in 1982. As much as I have tried to stay intellectually engaged here, it’s tough to do. And the environment here, regardless of how positively you approach things, has a way of almost imperceptibly wearing you down and slowly chipping away at your self worth. And a visit with this amazing group of guys was just what the doctor ordered! It was like slipping into the most comfortable pair of shoes you have ever owned and yet being completely energized at the same time. Given my past history, I have been given a lot of reasons not to trust work colleagues in a corporate environment. So I really appreciate the uniqueness of this management team. Not only are they the smartest group of people I have ever worked with but they are the only management team I have worked with that I completely trust and that I know will do the right thing. That speaks volumes to me and the timing was perfect to be able to experience a little of that magic again. So thank you Tom, Chris, Rich, Dave, Hal and Mike for making the trip up here!
That visit by itself would have made it an incredible weekend, but that isn’t the end of the story. The next day I was also looking forward to because my Mom and Les and my brother Paul and his wife Nicole were coming to visit. It was the first time we were all together since my birthday visit back in September. Mom and Les arrived about 8:30 and Paul and Nicole about 45 minutes later. Mom and Les and Paul and Nicole only live an hour away from each other but I see each of them far more often than they see each other! We were having a great time laughing and telling stories and catching up. We were sitting at a table not far from the entrance and my back was to the entrance. A little before 10:00, someone walked behind me and kicked the bottom of my chair really hard. My first thought was, “geez, who is the klutzy jerk not paying attention to where he is going?” But of course, I am very Zen now, so I smiled and turned around and it was Kenny!!!!!!!!! I literally lost my breath for a second I was so surprised! And I’m not sure but I think I momentarily flapped my hands like I used to do when I was five years old (similar to how some autistic kids do when they get excited). That is how excited and happy I was. Then, yes, I teared up and hugged him and told him that it was the most thoughtful thing he had ever done for me. And in that moment, I felt more loved than I ever had in my entire life (this is not hyperbole!). Mom, Les, Paul and Nicole also didn’t know he was coming so they were just as surprised! Needless to say, I was a happy boy!! What started as a wonderful visit turned into a sublime experience. Who would have thought?
I keep thinking I can’t possibly be any more grateful than I already am and I keep getting proven wrong! I know I sound like a broken record, but my heartfelt thanks for all the amazing support I have had from my husband, family, friends and colleagues. You all lift me up in ways that you can’t imagine.
David
