Wednesday, February 26, 2025, and am up, it’s 7am, organizing my room, folding my sheets, and cleaning up for inspection today. Certain individuals from region and Washington are here to see how things are going.
I wait it out until the 8am move, but it is not called until 8:15, and I head to the chapel. I find only chaplain Kulungo in his office, and I head in through the main doors to my desk where I get ready the sign-in sheets for the afternoon services, sweep the floor, and organize some books that were checked back in.
9am move, I am back in the unit to use the restroom since the new rule for the restroom in the chapel is for staff only. Right before inspection begins I am able to grab a spray bottle and a rag, to wipe down the shower curtains and the entrance step to each shower.
Here they come, Warden, Captain, Associate Warden’s, and several others in suits. The few of us in the Glasshouse stand by our rooms in our Class-A uniforms.
10am, the inspection concludes and an inward move to the units is called where everyone around the compound returns to their units to prepare for the lunch move. I sit down to read my daily devotionals as I wait.
From the “Stand Strong 365 devotions for Men by Men”.
“I pressed on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”
[Philippians 3:14]
As it says in verse 13 “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”. I will say it again, thank God for everything He has shown me throughout this time. Allowing me the mindset to understand what has brought me to where I am at, focusing on what He has for me going forward, and in my eyes, preparing for a positive future, forgetting the negative in my past years. We may always have our past in mind, but I plan to have it as a teaching, experiences that will help guide me through life.
Today is hamburger day, and Mr. Rivero is ready to go, even though the hamburger patty goes to me; he enjoys the ride over to the dining room. I prepare my burger with my patty and Mr. Rivero’s and I hear from a distance, Mr. Campos calling over to me offering me his patty. A triple burger for me today, with lettuce, one cheese slice, and mayonnaise, accompanied by fries, that couldn’t be more raw, cold, and soggy.
Returning to the unit, dropping off Mr. Rivero in his room and folding his wheelchair, I go use the restroom, prepare myself a cafecito, and wait for the move so I could head to the chapel. No move called until 1pm, so as I arrive the volunteer had already prepared the altar with what was needed from the Catholic locker. I set up the microphone for him, and get him the lighter for the candles, then help the Wiccan’s getting what they need for their service in the rear “classroom” we have. The Santeria group arrived but we had to remind them their service schedule was changed to 2pm.
As 2pm arrives, everyone leaves the chapel, and the volunteer is escorted out. I see the chaplain through the window, noticing he has left me in the chapel alone, even though he always makes sure I know that I am never allowed to be left alone in the chapel. I quickly head over to my locker in the chapel, lock it up, turn off the lights, and leave out the main door back to my unit; I don’t want to be caught in there alone and get reprimanded.
Arriving to my room, I see Mr. Readon and remind him to see the case manager about a legal box for himself, he thanks me and does just that. Mr. Gibson, then asks me about my day and if I know anything new going on. This is a daily conversation from him, and I unfortunately nothing has changed since yesterday so I give him the same response of, “No, nothing new on our end”. I get to my room, change into my comfortable clothes, and get in bed to try and get some shut-eye before count.
Right before count clears, I take my chair and my roommates over to our spots on the flat, set them up and go make a call to my dad. I am down to 3 minutes per day on the phone, so we keep the call short to one minute just in case, then I sit to watch some news before chow.
5:15pm, chow is called, I grab Mr. Rivero’s wheelchair, wait for Bon-Bon, who sprained his ankle, and I take Bon-Bon in the wheelchair over to dinner. Mr. Rivero was having an “expensive” meal with Mr. Campos, so I am stuck with Bon-Bon eating chef salad in food service. It was pretty good, including lettuce, thin strips of turkey, sliced beats, bean soup, shredded cheese, one boiled egg, and two slices of bread.
On our way back to the unit, we meet up with Mr. Diaz-Medina, and talk while we walk. I drop off Bon-Bon and I go to Mr. Rivero’s room to park the wheelchair. Time for some television.
Show is over, and someone changed the channel. Soon I call mom, shower, and later watch the evening news, wait for count, and go to sleep.
Thank you Father God for the life you have given me. Thank you for the positive things you continue to put in my path each and every day. Thank you for the good people you have put in my life, and for constantly building my faith, showing me You rare by my side. I pray dear Lord, asking, begging, that you continue watching over and caring for my family, friends and loved ones. Lord Jesus, I pray for positive changes in this justice system, that we may all benefit from. Touch the hearts of those in charge to see the good in many of us, and allow us that opportunity of getting home to our families, and prove ourselves amongst the world. Thank you Lord one more time and in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
February 26, 2025
19:26
