Friendships That Last

Friendships that last There is a saying about friendship, “If you want to find out who’s a true friend, screw up, then see who sticks around.” I don’t know who said this originally, but if I had to guess, I’d guess it was either someone who went to prison or a family member of a…

October 13, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

No More Goodbyes

When Daddy goes to prison, everything changes And nothing will ever be the same again. This is especially true for children who lived with their father before prison. Suddenly, every encounter they have with Daddy (prison visits, phone calls, or letters) includes an emotional goodbye. Goodbyes are hard. They remind us we are parting, each…

October 10, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

What Do I Do Now?

I sat staring at the small stain in the carpet where Ron had dropped a Sharpie just days before. It now seemed like a different world already. It was a world where Ron lived with us and we had “normal” problems - like dropped markers, spilled milk, bills to pay, and boys to raise. I…

October 6, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Writing to Someone in Prison

It is so amazing to me how much people take talking for granted. How much I used to take it for granted. I love to talk. I talk to people, with people, at people, and I have even been known to talk to myself. It never occurred to me that there would come a day…

September 29, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Protect Your Marriage

You might be surprised that I am actually talking about the impact of prison on sex. No one really talks about how prison drastically affects intimacy. When Ron went to prison there was one important part of our relationship that stopped. Sex. Naturally, sex had been an important part of our relationship, but it wasn’t…

September 19, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Why Should I Stay?

The question of staying or leaving a man who is in prison is one I hear often And one I had to wrestle with when Ron went to prison. The pain of the separation, the social prejudice, and the painful memories of trust betrayed all make a compelling case to leave. And yet, you are…

September 12, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Dad in Jail

I can remember the day Ron went to jail so vividly! We woke up that morning and got ready for the day, just like any other day. We showered, brushed our teeth, got dressed, ate breakfast, and even had a small disagreement about a wet towel on the floor. As far as the boys knew,…

August 31, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Do I Deserve Better

I never felt so alone or insignificant as I did when Ron went to prison. Most of my family and friends had abandoned me. The future looked dark, bleak, and cruel. It seemed to be calling me into a life defined by social isolation, poverty, and hopelessness. I was overwhelmed! I was drowning in responsibilities—taking…

August 25, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

How to Support Someone

How to support someone Recently my wife, my daughter, her friend, and I had the great pleasure of taking a pontoon boat out on the lake for the very first time ever. With no instructions, no person to tell me how to navigate, back up, go forward, or how fast to go on a turn,…

August 17, 20170Comments

Byron@theridgeproject.com

Family

Teaching Moments

Teaching moments When I read a blog or article that echoes my own beliefs, I feel so affirmed! This is a great article on how to keep your kids safe—by not keeping them too safe. I love it! I watch so many parents overcompensate for the absence of the other parent by doing all these…

July 31, 20170Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com