One month away from completing my third year incarcerated. What a journey it has been.
To this day, I have completed close nearly 20 courses/programs, including obtaining my Universal EPA 608 License which allows me to work with HVAC refrigerant up to commercial standards, and continue to take different programs that will help me going forward in life.
Last night Mr. Gibson returned from the hospital. I am happy to see him doing better, but I think his memory is worsening. I was up early today to take Mr. Gibson to breakfast, but he was sound asleep when I went by his room. When I return to the unit, I get into my Class A uniform and prepare for the day ahead. Looking out my room window I spot the Chaplain; I grab a pair of shorts, and my water bottle and head out of the dorm to the chapel. I approach the door to his office, I notice it is open, and as I get closer, I begin saying out loud “Gooooooooood Morning Chaplain Estrin!!!!”, but the only response I got was, “Why are you here so early?”, with a ‘not a morning person’ look on his face. I tell him, I spotted him and wanted to see if I could start organizing the chapel’s attic, where we keep all sorts of things we use throughout the year in the chapel. He quickly goes with me towards the rear of the chapel, unlocks the storage room, and the attic entrance, while I head to the restroom and change into my shorts.
Once in the attic, I shuffled around several boxes of old books, extra guitars in their cases, a trumpet, a saxophone, and several other items laying about in the space. I begin by organizing in a back corner, I sweep the floor of the attic, and accommodate all the Jewish books into one large box. I’m working up a great sweat, thankfully I have my water bottle to keep my hydrated. I pull the tarps out of the attic onto the chapel main floor, spread them out, and nicely fold them tight, and separate them into their own clear garbage bags, then place them back into the attic nicely in the corner by the support beams that I accommodated by length and style.
Time to head back to the unit to head to chow, I grab the garbage I collected, and take it out to the trash area on my way back to the unit. Once back in the unit, I walk over to Mr. Rivero’s room, and I see him laying down, still not ready for lunch, so I go check on Mr. Gibson. He looks better than he did this morning, and I plan for his roommate to wheel him down to lunch, but need to find someone to wheel him back. Thankfully I find someone to help me with the situation, says it would be no issue to bring Mr. Gibson back to the unit. His name is Eddy. Eddy is happy to help Eddie (me), with Mr. Gibson. Coincidence? Be good, and you will attract good, and I am thankful to have certain people around me that do not mind going out of their way to help someone else.
We were finally given chicken on the bone after several weeks of not having it. My roommate came by the table and gave me his chicken, he said it looks dry and undercooked, there is no way he is going to eat it. Of course, my “fat person mentality” responded saying “Don’t worry, I will take care of it for you, just leave it right here”. Mr. Rivero gave a good laugh, because he knows I very rarely say no to food, good thing it’s a protein.
Mr. Rivero and I head back to the unit, and I feel worn out, I get to my room, and lay down for a bit. Recreation move at 1pm, so I get up, grab my “Diabetes and You” booklet, put on my shoes, and head to the yard. When I get to the rec yard, I am told the class will not be happening today, and I return to the dorm, take off my shoes, lay down, cover my eyes, and try to take a nap. I don’t know if I slept any, because there was so much noise in the unit from other inmates talking/yelling but I got out of bed at 3, and went to Mr. Campos’ room, and was lucky enough to be offered a cup of coffee.
Count is cleared, we are out and about again, Mr. Rivero is calling me over to tell me he has a meal prepared for the two of us. What an excellent little old man he is. Even though after he feeds me, he tells me that if I keep eating this way I will never lose weight. It’s quite confusing, but I am use to it from my grandmother doing the same thing, feeding me, telling me I need to eat and stay strong, but then asking me why am I gaining weight. I love them anyway.
I call my dad, have a good conversation then it starts raining so bad they do not even call recreation. I head to the shower, then head over to speak with Mr. Campos a little, while I watch the news on the televisions opposite his room. Just spoke to mom, mima and step-dad (Ozzie), they are doing good, miss me very much as I miss them. Time now to bring this journal to close, and head to my room to watch the movie “King Richard” on the tablet with my roommate.
Lord Jesus, thank you for another great day. Without you, I could not have days like today, with such a positive mindset. You know my thoughts, you know my heart, please don’t ever stop building my faith in you. I pray and ask for a good night sleep, and the chance to wake up tomorrow to a new day full of great things. Thank you for all you do. In your name Jesus I pray, Amen.
Eduardo Valdes
8/15/2024
21:15