One full week of behind a locked door, “lockdown”, and today after being let out completely, I am able to update my journals. Even though I am working 7 days a week in the chapel, and enrolled in 6 classes, I know I am tired, but I wasn’t necessarily asking for a 7 day lockdown. What an excellent time to catch up on sleep, some reading, and getting to know my roommate a little more.
It was Labor Day, September 2, 2024. Our unit was called to the dining room for lunch, and when we return to the unit, we hear the officer yelling, “lockdown”, and so it begun.
Each and every morning, we received our all-bran cereal tray, which included a cake slice or shortbread cookie, apple, and two milk cartons each. Then of course we had our lunch tray’s and dinner tray’s delivered at the scheduled times by the orderlies in our unit. This was the highlight of our days.
By the third day, we were let out a few rooms at a time to shower, and if lucky, and allowed, we were able to sneak in a call to our families.
I was hoping that I would be called over to the chapel by the chaplains, to clean up and organize the chapel, but the week went by and they never did.
By Friday 9/6/2024, I was escorted out of the room to help in the chapel for the afternoon services, and later in the evening for the Jewish services, so it was nice to get out for a breather, and take an extra shower at the end of the day.
Saturday morning 9/7/2024, I was out and about again to the chapel for the morning Jewish services, but later locked in for the rest of the day.
Sunday 9/8/2024, was hectic, as we have the English Christian service at 1pm and the Spanish at 6pm. As I accompanied the chaplain around the compound, unit by unit, we accumulated over 70 “Christians” (or so they say), for our 1pm service. From my knowledge and recollection of certain individuals, we had several Catholics, one Muslim, three Jews, several of Santeria, and many more NON-English speaking who just found this as a reason to be out of the unit for the hour.
Thankfully the chaplain made the service worthwhile to us all, and preached about a topic that had everyone focused, even those who did not understand a word he was saying, but they seemed to clap and laugh along with everyone else. By evening, as we prepared for the Spanish service, things were a little different and this time, and the chaplain was selective on who attended based on previous attendance sheets.
I woke up today thinking we would be opened, but the door remained locked so I returned to bed until our breakfast trays arrived. This time we received Kosher powdered milk which could probably have been considered a weapon from how hard the powder in the package was. I skipped on breakfast today, again laid down while my roommate got up to get ready for his visit. Once he was escorted out of the room and out to his visit, I got out of bed, and began getting ready myself, until I hear the officer saying out loud that he was advised that the top tier would be let out until lunch, then the other tier after lunch. Thankfully I am on the top tier, so once my door was unlocked I grabbed some coffee in a cup, walked out to the hot water spigot, poured the hot water, then went to call my mom. After speaking with her, I head to my room to get ready, my dad should be arriving before 11am.
I had an excellent set of laughs in conversation with my dad, but at 1pm, he had to leave. It was so good seeing him as always. I can’t wait for his next visit. This Saturday is visit with mom and mima. As I returned to the unit, the bottom tier is out and about, and the officer says I can stay out if I want, so I do until we get locked in for the 4pm count.
After count, we get unlocked for good, so I grab something to eat, and take a good shower, and decide to write about it, so here I am. There was not much excitement in the last week, besides what I have wrote here, I wish there could be more to write about. I’m grateful for a few days of needed rest, I was able to still have an excellent visit with dad, and now begin the week refreshed for the start of new classes, finishing other classes, and doing all I can to continue helping others where needed.
I continuously ask God for his love, guidance, and to give me humility, patience, and strength to get through each and every day I spend in this environment, in which I never again want to be a part of. Thank you Lord for always being there for me and my family, and for giving me the chance to continue building my relationship with you.
