New Year, New Hope!!

 

Hello Readers,

Let me start by wishing you all good health and happiness for the New Year.

For me personally this is proving to be the best start to a new year in a very long time.

For the first time since my arrest and imprisonment in Thailand there seems hope and light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Since my arrival here on December 10th 2007, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed one and often two weekly visits with my parents, so many years apart makes me appreciate and value every minute of the 1 ½ - 2 hour visits together with them.

Sitting opposite each other at a proper table and chairs, where you can reach over and touch, hug and kiss. A far cry from the two sets of bars, glass and meter wide gap and a conversation over a phone visits of Thailand Prison.

Here in the visiting area a canteen provides drinks and light refreshments, the staff are polite, pleasant and helpful, such a contrast to Thailand.

My parent’s visits have done wonders to help me adjust and adapt to life back in England. Changing prison is unsettling and stressful; changing from a regime such as in Thailand is difficult to say the least. Nothing can prepare you for the contrast between Thailand and England.

I had no idea just how much 4 ½ years in a Thai prison had effected me, until I came back to the relative normality of an English prison. Physically I look remarkably well, psychologically I have my moments where I am in bits, and to look at me you would never know it. Years in the Bangkok Hilton I’ve learnt to hide what’s going on inside and not show much at all. “Self protection I guess”.

Thanks especially to my parents and other family members, friends that have visited me, I am now well on the mend.

My sister Paula who I am enjoying getting to know all over again “Thanks”, “love you sister”

Aunt Pat and Cousin Della! Chalk and cheese you pair, but what a lovely and enjoyable visit. So full of admiration for the work you do Della, I really look forward to getting to know you better.

Other Aunts include Shirl, Jen, Sandra and Wendy I really enjoyed all your visits. Uncle Mick and Pat again a very special visit for me! “Thank You”!

Oh!! Cousin Mandy!!, Well made up to see you “Thanks”!

Carla, Ollie, Anthony always special, always a pleasure!

I would (we would) be surely lost without you Carla, cheers!

Two of my best and very old friends “H and Cindy”, your two visits and your letters gave me even more determination and strength. Honoured and very lucky to have you both as sincere, genuine friends “Thanks Mates”!!

My good friends Nick and Nong, seems a lifetime ago we first met in Thailand great visit! “When I managed to get a word in”. Nong my friend you looked stunning, lucky bastard Nick!! You Thai ladies are all something very special, so so good to see you both and be sure to call again before you return to Thailand.

Dan!! My mate so so good to see you another true and so so genuine friend, I will never forget your support over the years, but we have to stop meeting in places like this, cheers Dan!

 

Thank you Readers/Friends

 

All you readers/friends who’ve sent letters, cards, emails since my return and before, too many of you all to mention individually, you know who you all are and “THANK YOU ALL”

You’ve all helped me more than you realize, 4 ½ very difficult years and you all should take much credit in me making it through and being here today.

It wasn’t my individual strength that seen me through, it was the strength, kindness and support of so many of you, that you all gave to me to see it through.

There were many times in Thailand when my situation felt hopeless and my morale was non existent, any hopes of one day I would be sitting here in England seemed an illusion and impossibility. Yet here I am, we did it!!

Easy to say now! But what a experience! What a Journey!! Another chapter for the book as my mate George would say.

                                                  By Steve Willcox