Suzanne - Character Diary

Today, mom was released from prison. Grandma and I had to pick her up around noon. I really didn't know what to expect from her as I haven't visited her at all within the past few months. The most communication we had was through short, hand-written letters.

Mom exited the front prison gate very slowly. For someone just being released, I was expecting her to look a little more excited. As she gave us a "hello" She climbed in to the back seat of the car. I said hello back. Then there was silence.

As we pulled into grandma's driveway, mom said that she missed us both. She told us that her two years away from us were the hardest two years of her life and that she doesn't want to take anything for granted anymore. She started crying. I got out of the car, opened her door and helped her out to give her a hug. She held me so tight, I honestly couldn't breath for a few seconds.

As I ate dinner with mom and grandma that night, I refrained from bringing up the past, even though I knew it was something we all needed to talk about. I tried to talk only about the fun things grandma and I have been doing. She seemed to enjoy hearing about that. Although I was never close with mom, this night, I felt closer to her than ever.

Mom wasn't (and isn't) necessarily a bad mom, she just doesn't ever go out of her way to spend time with family. That's why I am especially thankful for grandma. She is the absolute best, most considerate person I know, and my whole life, she has been like a mother to me.

I hope everything will turn out alright for us in time.