Never underestimate where your support will come from.

When all of this happened, we really struggled with this.  We have very supportive family and friends and we have a wonderful church family.  But, having a family member go to prison has the potential to stretch those boundaries.  At least, in your mind.  It was so surprising to us how non-judgmental people were.  They really truly acknowledged that, as parents, you do the best you can do while realizing the existence of free will.

The support we continue to receive humbles us.  We have had family and church members at all the court appearances and at visitations.  They write to our son, talk to him on the phone when possible, pray for him and continually ask about him.  And in the midst of all this, they check on us.  Throughout what has been one of the most horrible ordeals imaginable, we have never felt anything but loved.

Are there people who are out there judging us?  I'm sure there are but they haven't said anything.  At least the negativity has stayed with them which is where it belongs.  We don't need people pointing out everything we have already asked ourselves, including "Where did we go wrong?"  Those questions don't go away.  We are still reflecting back and asking ourselves The Big Question.

But what is important is that people care.  Give them the chance to show you they care.  This is an impossible thing to go through alone - so don't.  You don't have to.  Allow others inside.  I promise it will be worth it.  And without support, you could easily go crazy.

To be continued...