If You Don’t Know Your Worth, Others Won’t Either

I hate feeling intimidated. When I feel intimidated, I feel small, worthless, and helpless. It is a terrible feeling to not know your worth. When Ron first went to prison, I struggled with my own self-worth and value. I felt defined by the experience I was in; a prison wife. I felt intimidated…

October 3, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Couple Communication Tips

Nine o’clock was quickly approaching. We all waited with anticipation for the phone to ring. We could always count on our family phone call.“Is it 9:00 yet, Mommy?” the boys would ask every ten minutes as they waited impatiently to talk to their Daddy. I loved seeing them excited to talk to Ron, but I…

October 1, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Birthdays in Prison

The birthday lunch is almost ready. I am waiting impatiently for the last part of the meal to be done. “Ding” The microwave timer tells me now the final part of our meal is done. I get the food out, and place it carefully on top of the rest of our lunch. The…

September 28, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Transforming Your Prison Visit Into Family Time

Prison visits can be amazing. Wait! I know, I know. Having to visit your man in prison is, well… it sucks. I am not saying it is amazing to have to go to a prison to see your husband. I AM saying, that since you don’t have a choice about where you see your husband,…

September 27, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Discovering What you are Made of

My mother-in-law handed me a bowl of steaming hot soup. “Add some fresh onions and squeeze a little lemon juice on it” she instructed as she passed me a plate of fresh, soft, and warm corn tortillas. I watched as everyone around the table dipped the tortilla into the soup and then ate it. I…

September 25, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Writing Your Family’s Legacy

You are writing your story every day It may not be with pen and paper, or a computer screen, but you are telling your story by living your life. What you are writing is determining your legacy. We all have the power to create our own story. Others are watching your life and they are retelling…

September 24, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Building Trust with your Man

I have been thinking a lot about trust lately Welcome, friends! I have been thinking a lot about trust lately. Trust is a strange thing. It is both fragile enough to break with the smallest of offenses; and strong enough to carry you through the worst trials life can throw at you. Broken trust shatters…

September 20, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

A Person of My Word

The landlord asked me, “Are you married?” That was an easy question to answer, but I knew the next questions would be more difficult. “Yes, I am happily married,” I replied. Then I held my breath….waiting for the next question to be asked. “What does your husband do for a living?” There it was. The…

September 19, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

How to Support Your Partner in Prison

When Ron went to prison, I jumped into “legal liaison” mode. I called and hired attorneys, got copies of transcripts, and checked into laws, timelines, and appeals available to us. I was desperately trying to provide as much support as I could to my husband. After all, helping him fight the legal battle seemed…

September 17, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

My baby met her daddy in prison

My baby met her daddy in prison My baby, Bria, was just 3 days old the first time she entered a prison visiting room. She was there to met her daddy and her daddy was about to meet her. They were about to meet each other, and it was in a prison visiting room. I…

September 14, 20180Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com