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          This New Years Eve was different from the previous ones. 2008 was a few hours away and the anticipation that normally festered was at a minimum. It was a day of reflection for me. I’m preparing dinner for the Baker clan. Jeremiah is due in court next week. I am praying constantly for the safe return of my husband, but only God knows.

Trinitee is learning to communicate with the family through certain hand gestures, and even mumbles some words. This road hasn’t been easy, but the doctor says to just give her time. We just celebrated her third birthday, but mentally she is about eighteen months. She still hasn’t mastered the potty training stage, but we are working at it; and getting rid of her pacifier is an uphill battle. Angel has come a long way also. My babies are fighters. It’s in their blood. Jeremiah calls almost every day to make sure the kids remember him. Trinitee smiles and claps her hands after I interpret every call, and she understands its daddy. Angel cries from the frustration of his absence.  Jeremiah gets angry and isolates himself from the rest of the prisoners for days at a time. It angers me that he isn’t here but there is nothing I can do other than pray.

Vonette and Journee moved out here six months ago and they love it. I am glad that I finally get to see my little sister on a regular basis. She is growing like a weed, and she absolutely loves her niece and nephew. She has an empathetic. From the moment she laid eyes on Trinitee there was a connection. 

          I must have gotten too wrapped up in my thoughts, because there was a mound of salt in my peach cobbler.

“Man look at what I’ve done.” Ocean said as she proceeded to dump the bowl of peaches in the garbage. Samantha entered the kitchen to fill Caleb’s sippy cup with more apple juice.

“Why are you tossing that?”  Samantha said with the look of confusion on her face.

“I don’t know… wait yes I do. I was just in here thinking and picked up the salt instead of the sugar.”

“Aww, you really do miss him don’t you?”

“You can’t even begin to imagine just how much. I know that they are doing their best to bring him home, but he has been my life since forever.”  Ocean’s eyes started to well up with tears.

“Come here baby sis. You may not want to hear this, but sometimes God will move something or someone out of the way to get your attention.”

“You are right. I don’t want to hear that right now. Besides you have your husband.”

“Come on! You don’t remember Johan being gone and me fighting daily to be alright and deal with him not being with me?”