Since Tuesday that Mr. Gibson returned from the hospital, I have been trying my best to be up on time to take him to breakfast and take advantage of the cardboard tasting cereal which is excellent for my digestion. Today being Sunday, I usually try to rest as much as possible in the morning, but I made it a priority to get up, and take Mr. Gibson to breakfast, and once I returned to the unit with him, my next task was to help Mr. Rivero with typing an electronic request. Before doing so, I grabbed a cup of instant Bustelo coffee, then went to his room to get him. I let him know I would be sitting at the computer and waited for him. Before being incarcerated I was achieving 75 typed words per minute. Currently I have not calculated it, but I think I am still up there in the 65-70 range, even if I am typing something in English as I am mentally translating what Mr. Rivero wrote in Spanish. I enjoy this very much, and at times to make him laugh, I face him and continue typing, he doesn’t believe that I typed it correctly, so he leans in to read and check for himself.
After lockdown, I head to Mr. Campos’ room in the glasshouse and he has brunch for me ready to go, so I sit with him to eat and talk for a little while. Nearing midday, I walk over to the chapel to prepare for the English Christian service. Our Chaplain Hostler preached today after I sang one of the two songs played.
Count clears after 4:30, and I head to Mr. Campos’ room for dinner that he made for us. Now that I think about it, I ate so much today, but it was worth it. Back to the chapel I go for the Spanish Christian service, and at 7pm I head back to the unit. Our Miami Marlins won today, finally. Spoke to my dad, he is ready to come visit me tomorrow, I can’t wait. I head to my room, grab my body towel, hand towel, clean clothes, change into my shower sandals, put my shampoo bottle in one pocket and my soap dish in the other, and as I walk out of my room, all I hear is yelling. Two other inmates having a yelling match over who ate the other’s food that was near the kitchen area. I walk the other way and hurry over to a shower, God forbid something happens and a lockdown comes, I will at least be clean. As much as I wanted to stop and talk to them, and help them clear the situation, it was not my place to do so. All I can do is pray for them, and hope they come to some sort of agreement peacefully. After my shower, I head back to my room, put my things away, grab my tablet, headphones, turn on 89.7FM (K-Love), and sit down at a computer to type my journal for today.
Now, as I sit here, and snack on some roasted salted peanuts, Mr. Gibson walks over to me, and tells me he needs to get his roommate out of his room, so now I will take it upon myself to play “mediator” and find out what is going on and try to ease the situation. After that mission is complete, I will be calling my mother, and possibly heading straight to my room until tomorrow.
Thank you God for allowing me to build my patience and be there to help others in need. I don’t know what plans you have for my future, but I know whatever it is, I will do my best to be ready for it, and will never stray away from your word. Thank you for all you do, thank you for my family, friends and loved ones. Thank you for listening to my prayers and always showing me your presence in the worst of times, guiding me through it all. Amen.
Eduardo Valdes
8/18/2024
20:09
