Up and ready, it’s 6:55am, I prepare a black tea with lemon, and sit to talk with “Bon-Bon”.
5-minute move at 7:00am so I head to the chapel, to check the front door make sure no water got into the chapel like it did yesterday, when I arrived at the chapel and find a large amount of water. Last night I folded one bed sheet, and I snugged it under the door, then rolled up two other sheets and placed one on the outside of the door and one on the inside. No water got in last night with the rain, so I will do the same tonight, as the rain will be getting worse with Hurricane Milton on it’s way to Florida. No chaplain yet, so I head back to the unit to wait and then head back at the 7:30am work call. I wait outside the chapel until 8:10am, and head back once again to my unit. Time for a snack.
Four saltine crackers with some peanut butter does the trick, as I sit and read my daily devotionals.
No chaplain this morning, so time to relax now until lunch.
Almost midday, I decided not to go to lunch and head to the chapel. Today we have the Buddhist at 1pm and then a class in the chapel called “Embracing Interfaith Cooperation”. The Buddhist did not show today so I prepare for the class. We have a total of forty persons enrolled. Fourteen speak only Spanish, so I take them with me to the “class room” in the chapel, and the rest stay in the main chapel.
Back in the unit, right before 3:30pm, I am reminded it is Mr. Campos’ birthday. He is now one year away from seventy. I head over to find him and sing him “Happy Birthday” in front of the rest of the guys in the Glasshouse. Apparently Mr. Rivero already had planned to make a meal for us this evening, so I am happy about that.
Count clears, I head back to the chapel where I find Chaplain Estrin and he asks for my help with a few things. On the schedule we have Islam Study Group tonight, but due to the bad weather, the only guys who came by the chapel were two guys who wanted to watch a movie in the personal televisions; so I set them up, then sweep and organize a few things around the chapel.
Ten minute move is called at 7pm, so the two guys leave, and I assist the chaplain with turning off all the lights and then placing several barriers of bed sheets at the threshold of the door so that if it rains heavily tonight, water will struggle to get in, or so I am hoping. The chaplain radio’s my unit to advise I will be on my way, and I head out. As I am walking away, I hear the chaplain call to me, I turn around, and he tells me, “thank you for all your help”, to which I respond, “you are welcome, and thank you as well, have a good night”.
Back in the unit, I head straight to Mr. Campos’ room, and he hands me my bowl of food. I thank him, take it over to my room, add some hot sauce, mayonnaise, and garlic plantain chips to the mixed meats rice that he made for us. It was delicious, I cleaned my bowl and spoon, and getting my things to head to the shower.
Same as I try to do every day, made my phone call before 8:30pm. Heading to my room, I see Mr. Rivero and ask him how he is doing. He hasn’t been feeling too good these past few days, but seems to be getting better. I head to my room, grab my tablet with my headphones and sit down to watch “The Voice”, as I snack on some “chicken bites”. Getting ready for 10pm count, then maybe some television until the 11pm news.
I pray Dear Lord for all those in the path of Hurricane Milton. Thank you Father God for everything You have put in my life, and all the bad things You have taken away from my life. I am here for You Lord, guide me, and put me where you need me to be. I will be forever faithful to you Lord. I pray for my family, my friends and loved ones. Thank you again for all you do. Amen.
Goodnight.
Eduardo L. Valdes
02499-506
October 7, 2024
22:05
