Good morning world.
Friday, February 7, 2024, up early at the call of chow. I step out of my room and get in line behind other guys who also seem to be sleepwalking towards the door. I haven’t cut my hair in nearly a year, and for some reason I wake up looking as if I was electrocuted, with my hair sticking out in all sorts of directions. I get to the front of the line and I see our Unit Team is passing out the trays and milks. I grab mine and step aside to wait for Mr. Rivero to get to the front of the line. He hands me his tray so he could turn and step up onto the “flat” and I walk side by side with him back to his room and set his tray on his table, and I head to my room to eat my breakfast. Thankfully, they have been serving us a “Raisin-Bran” type of cereal, and today we got a full apple, and a tasteless cake piece.
I get back in bed to try and nap, but I feel a stomach ache coming in. I try to ignore it and put one headphone on to listen to 89.7FM K-Love, and it pumps me up. I get out of bed, tidy my sheet and blanket, and grab what I need for a one-time run to the restroom.
Teeth brushed, hair slicked back with a new coconut oil conditioner, and ready for the day. Time to sit and read my daily devotionals. From the “Our Daily Bread” booklet for today’s date, i talks about how we see others and how God sees us.
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
[1 Samuel 16:7]
In our unit, usually every week as a bus of new guys begin walking in through the main door of the unit, the guys here tend to create a story about each person that comes through, judging without knowing who they truly are. Here in the Glasshouse, when a new guy comes in, I step towards them and ask if they need any help with their things, find out what room they are assigned to and try my hardest to make them feel welcome. I know it’s not a hotel where the person should be greeted, but I know that feeling of walking into an unknown area; especially in this place. I chose this devotional as my favorite because it is a goal I have for myself as I progress in life, to try as hard as I can not to judge people by their looks, but look into their heart and trust that God will put me around the right people.
Today we finally got to walk out of the unit over to the chow hall to grab our food. As soon as it was called, I went looking for Mr. Rivero but he was nowhere to be found. I grab his wheelchair, and his hat and on my way out of the Glasshouse I see him in the restroom area. Back from picking up our food, I drop off Mr. Rivero in his room and go to mine. Today’s lunch was breaded fish, two slices of stale bread, spinach, and white rice. Mr. Rivero doesn’t eat that fish so he handed me his whole tray. I added some lemon juice to the fish, some Melinda Green Sauce, and good to go.
Nearing 1pm, the officer called for me to get ready and help her find all the Muslims for service at 1pm in the chapel. Myself and a few guys stood waiting for the chaplain to come escort us from the unit over to the chapel. Once at the chapel, I did what I could to help them get things setup for their services and began sweeping the floor over by my area where I wouldn’t interrupt. After service, I asked the chaplain if I could stay until 3pm so I could organize and clean the chapel a bit and he gave the O.K.
I look down at my watch and realize its past 3:30pm and I need to get back to the unit quickly before count. I close everything up and the chaplain escorts me back to the unit to wait for count.
Once count clears I call my dad and as soon as he answers the call I see the chaplain approaching the Glasshouse to come get me and those who will be attending the evening Jewish services, so I say goodbye and I will call later. The chaplain takes me and a few others to the chapel so I could prepare before the rest of the guys arrive. Once service completes, we all get escorted back to our units, and I head over to my room to grab what I need to clean some showers in the Glasshouse, and put my water boots on, but first I need to call dad back.
Now its time for one of the showers upstairs, so first thing I do is get the chemicals and scrubbers I need, and remove the shower curtain. I wet the whole inside of the shower, and begin scrubbing with the Ajax chlorine powder. Mr. Jaramillo walks by and I ask for the time. It’s past 8:20, I need to call mom, so I take off my gloves and wash my hands then head to the phone and back up to the shower. I finally finished the shower, and realize its past 9pm, it has taken over 2 hours to clean that one shower, it was disgusting, mold all in the cracks of the tiles, and the floor sticky.
I hurry to wash my hands, and over to the phone to call my sister and spend a good 12 minutes if I can get through the prompts quick enough and after speaking with them, it’s time for my shower. Back to my room I go, grab my towels, soap, shampoo, clothes and put on my shower sandals.
Count time and as the officers are making the round, I grab one slice of bread from my locker, sprinkle some garlic powder and Italian seasoning on it, and have myself an anxiety snack. I end my day today on a positive note and running low on charge. I will watch some news now at 11pm and go to bed. Thankfully I do not work tomorrow morning like usual, so if we are still locked in, after breakfast I will try and continue my sleep.
I cannot thank you God for all you do. Thank you for this day you have allowed me to have. Thank you for my family and those close to me. Father God, please watch over Mr. President Trump and his administration. Give them the knowledge, and will they need to be great for this country and change this world in a positive manner. Thank you God for listening to my prayers and continuously building my faith. I pray dear Lord for a great night sleep and the chance to continue a beautiful life tomorrow. Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
February 7, 2025
23:00
