Yesterday, October 18, 2024, I translated for both Mr. Campos and Mr. Rivero. Our case manager Mr. Kost, gave them both good news. One might be released to halfway-house before the end of this year, and the other may be heading to a prison camp. Even though it will be heartbreaking to not have them here with me, I will be forever joyful that they are one step closer to being home with their families.
Today, October 19, 2024, I spent my morning in the chapel with our lovely chaplain and our Jewish community. Everything went smoothly, until the chaplain receives a call requesting I report to the lieutenants office. Thankfully it is nearby and so I step on over and am asked to standby. “What am I so worried about”, I thought to myself as my mind went crazy wondering why would I be called over for. Several minutes later, the OIC (Officer in Charge) comes by and asks me if I am ready for a urine analysis. Once complete, I sign the document as requested by the OIC and I head back to the chapel. “I cannot believe they took so long, I even called them and asked why are they taking so long with my clerk, we know he is not involved in doing anything he shouldn’t be” is what the chaplain tells me as I return to her office, and it brightened my day a little more.
I put everything back in order and head back to my unit for morning count. I prepare myself a small spam with plantain chips sandwich, then sit and wait for count. The officers finish counting in the Glasshouse and head out. I grab my cup and prepare a “cafecito”, using one teaspoon of Cafe Bustelo and one pack of sweetener “sugar”.
Count clears, recreation move is called, and I am quickly out of the dorm and over to the chapel with my song lyrics folder. I sit with my chaplain and help her pick two worship songs for Sunday’s Christian service. I told her I want to sing them with her, so I plan to be there early tomorrow to practice for an hour, let’s see how that goes, she loves to sing, and so do I, are we good at it? After getting the song lyrics setup, I head into the main chapel where our Spanish Christian service guitarist is practicing, and I grab a microphone and practice with him. Tomorrow I will be singing one song in the Spanish service, I hope I don’t get too nervous. Time to head back to the unit for 4pm count, I say goodbye to the chaplain, and go on my way.
As soon as I get back into the unit, Mr. Rivero spots me from his one good eye and waves me over. “Take your bowl to my room”, he tells me in Spanish. Immediately I do as he says because I know whatever he is going to prepare for us will be delicious and he enjoys cooking and sitting to eat with me as I do with him. Spending time with Mr. Rivero, listening to him tell me his stories and jokes, and just being able to check up on him and be there when he needs me is such a great feeling. I am constantly told by others that I do too much for Mr. Rivero, that he needs to handle things on his own. Today I was told this again by someone, and my response is always the same, “As long as I can, I will be there for him for whatever he needs”. During the count, I read my devotionals and in one of the books, for the day of today, the main Bible verse that is mentioned is from “2 Thessalonians 3:13”. It reads, “Never become tired of doing good”. These are simple confirmations, that get me through any day, and any conflicting thoughts. In the reading it also mentions, “A good man is a role model for those around him”. I hope that my good is portrayed to others to follow in being there for anyone in need.
As I wait for Mr. Rivero to finish showering, so we could eat, I head over to the computers and begin reading an email my mom sent me including a quote from Denzel Washington, one of my favorite actors.
“If you wear nice clothes, people think you’re showing off,
If you wear simple clothes, people think you are poor,
If you speak your mind, you are rude,
If you stay quiet, then you are a coward,
If you are successful, then you are arrogant,
If you are struggling, then you’re lazy.
So you see, no matter what you do in life people will always have something to say.
So ignore people and their opinions because as long as your Creator is pleased with you, who cares what people think.”
There is so much positivity in the life ahead of me. Especially with quotes like this one in mind and God in my heart, I will never see things the way I saw them before. I will forever be grateful for all I have learned and been able to focus on in the last 37 months of my incarceration and with so much that is yet to learn.
Soon, it is time to call mom, and later, time to shower, and enjoy some television time, with MAYBE a snack in hand.
18 days to election day. How I wish I was able to vote. Most definitely one future goal I have of recuperating my voting rights for the good of this country. God Bless the USA, and my God be with us all. Thank you Father God for the path you have put me on. Remain in my heart dear Lord, so I will never veer off and get off on the wrong exit. Amen.
Eduardo L. Valdes
02499-506
October 19, 2024
20:18
