Within the next 24 hours, I will be checking into the federal prison camp at Morgantown. I have a lot to prepare and ready before this adventure begins. To kick things off for this last 24 hours of freedom, I was in DC Circuit Court for a follow-up hearing to my sentencing to discuss the amount of money that I would ultimately be responsible for repaying (called restitution). The argument was that I had a plea agreement with a set amount of money, but this agreement did not specify anything pertaining to interests, penalties, fees, and other random charges. The hearing went well. Judge Tayna Chutkan, the same judge that sentenced me, was a peach. She was respectful, sensible, and quite frankly pleasant, which is the same she has been over the past two years that I have met with her. Yet, it was a stark contrast to the sentencing attitude that she presented. At the end of the sentencing, Judge Chutkan did not make any decisions since she had seemed quite perplexed by the whole restitution add-ons, and she was leaning toward not including the additional amount of about $56,000.
Then, a brief meeting with a dear friend, Ed, since I was briefly in DC. And since I was in DC, Drew and I finished clearing out the 112 V Street house, which was quite the feat since so much stuff had been left after our move. This task took nearly 3 hours, which were quite precious, but stressful. Then around 5pm, we were off to Baltimore in the pouring rain, during dusk and rush hour. Finally, we arrived and had much to unpack and discuss.
These next few hours were busied with walk-thrus of the house, how to tweek this and that, and much more. To spare any embarassing details, this was also the last few hours that I would have with the puppies, especially Hank. A dog’s intuition is a profound mystery of the universe. Hank is 13 yo and is being triaged for his cancer. These are his last days on earth, and I am fortunate that he could muster some puppy energy to say goodbye. I know he knew some change was coming, and these last four years of being at home allowed me the opportunity to intimately care for Hank and the vast alignments that he endured. I hope that these moments will not be the last with any of the critters, my beautiful Princess, one-eyed Stewie, Derby Floyd, and Ms. Fred – the cat. However, I think Drew may take matters into his own hands with Fred’s constant screams for attention.
Finally, emotional moments completing a rainbow succulent puzzle with Drew. It was about 4am and neither of us had slept. I quickly showered, buzzed my head (why not look the part), and just been present with Drew. He offered to take me to Dulles since I was running so late and he did not want me to miss my flight. Of course, I drove, and of course, traffic was beyond terrible since it was still raining, and even at 5am. The long, delayed drive was welcomed, but the inevitable of being distant for a bit was lurking. I called my mom while in traffic and Drew took a quick snooze. All I kept thinking about how safe he would be venturing back from Dulles – with the rain, with his fatigue, and with the sadness that swallowed him.
Alas, we arrived at the airport to end this best of worst day! While it was unbelievably sad, this also marked the best day to begin the journey to formally repair, heal, asipire, and complete this long legally embattled struggle. The inevitable day – the worst day – but the best day toward the path of returning whole again.
I am eternally grateful for all the support, love, and comfort that so many family, friends, and acquaintances have shown over the years. I am indebted to wonderfully committed attorneys, Mr. Doug Miller, Mr. Lloyd Liu, Ms. Peggy Bennett, and especially Mr. Jon Rosen, who has remained steadfast, attentive and amazingly supportive. Of course, I am especially grateful to my incredible mom, dad, Tif (sister), Ryan (bro), Chris (bro in-law), June (mom in-law), and the whole Fisher Family…just everyone has been so instrumental in keeping me positive and remaining focused on returning. Of course, my heart and soul, Drew, deserves all the props for dealing with me, the situation that I have caused, and the ramifications of my absence causing an undue burden in his life. He did not ask for this mess, and he does not deserve to have such a direct impact from the awful effects of my brash actions. So, yes, today, was the best of the worst day!