No good movies on T.V. so off to bed early I went. One extra hour of sleep last night due to Daylight Savings time change. I set my clock last night, and am out of bed by 6:45am. I prepare a cafecito and check my e-mails then get dressed and ready for visit with mom and step-dad.
As I wait, the officer calls for Mr. Ballester-Ramos, a.k.a. “Bon Bon”. A few minutes later, my name is called and off to visit I go. Officer Ferguson is in the entrance to receive us, asks for my I.D. and jots down the information. “What unit are you coming from?” he asks me. “From Gator, sir”, I reply.
As soon as we get the clear to walk in, I grab the cold door handle and give it a turn, and open the door. The cold wind from inside the room hits my face. ‘Thank God I wore my long-sleeve shirt under my uniform’, I thought to myself as I walk to the counter where Officer Roach is sitted waiting to receive my I.D. and point me to my family, though they were the first people I spotted upon entering.
Mom already has a “Stouffers Lasagna” on one of the chairs next to her as she waits for me. My step-dad is beside her, I have not seen in in a few months as he has been busy working or helping others, so I give him a big hug first. I step over to hug my mom as she asks me, “You want anything for breakfast?”. I guess the lasagna is not enough for her “little boy”, so I ask her to get me a Jamaican patty to eat first.
It was time to part ways as we had spent a little over 3 hours together, and they had to get back home. I say my good-bye’s and head to the “check-out” area to be searched by the officer before going back to my unit. It’s nearly midday, and English Christian service is at 1300hrs. As soon as I get to the dorm, I get out of my uniform into my weekend clothes of shorts and continue in my long sleeve shirt, change into my sneakers, grab a 4 ounce cup of Cafe Bustelo coffee and my tablet and head to the chapel. I setup the microphones with the podium, test the sound, put on some Christian music on low volume, then head over to my locker to grab the cleaning supplies, and head to the restroom.
I log the cleaning on the sheet, and add a new toilet paper roll. The chapel is ready for service. Both songs the chaplain wants in her service are connected and ready to go.
Service was great, and she shared an excellent message regarding “Life Choices” with over 15 guys who attended, based on the book of “Ruth” in the Bible. I hope the guys learned something today. I pray they use their time incarcerated to think clearly about what they want in their future, and prepare a plan for when they release. Once service ended, I stayed behind with Mr. Carmona-Fonseca, and he helped me organize things back to “neutral setting”, and waited until 3pm to head back to our units.
Back in the unit, I am ready for count. Mr. Campos calls me over to grab my bowl of food. Pork with onions, white rice and black beans with a side salad. I added some Melinda’s Green Hot Sauce, and some Nacho Cheese Doritos, and started eating. Count cleared, I went out of the Glasshouse into the main unit to wash my bowl in the larger sinks, then called my dad to say hello. I grab what I need and head back over to the chapel for the Spanish Christian service. The microphones are setup, some background music is playing; now we wait for the 6pm move.
As the Spanish Christian community makes their way to the chapel, they begin signing in at the front altar where I set the sign-in sheet using the pen I provide. Mr. Carmona-Fonseca is back for the Spanish service, but decides to help me with a few things near the area where my desk is and we have a nice conversation, as we praise all the good things the chaplains are doing for all of us. Mr. Carmona-Fonseca tells me, “God has blessed us with these chaplains. They are going above and beyond to get these volunteers, courses, and everything we need for each of our services.” I reply, “These chaplains are a God-sent. Because of them, my time working in the chapel has been excellent, and I will work as much as I need to for them to make this chapel as best as we can make it for everyone to enjoy their time here as best as possible.”
Spanish service is over, we put everything away, I replace the garbage bag in the chaplains office, and he walks me out to my unit. The day is almost over. As soon as I walk into the unit, Mr. Salas-Paredes stops me to say hello, and see how I am doing, then I step over to see Mr. Campos and Mr. Rivero who are playing dominoes with two other guys, and then I head to my room to put my things down. It’s almost time to call mom; I miss them already. Had a great conversation, but cut the call short to try and save as many minutes for the month.
I think I am going to have a little snack, shower and sit down for some television. Will be in the chapel early tomorrow morning, so I won’t be up late.
Thank you God for the things you do in my life. Today I came across to small conflicts that I pulled away from without any problems, because You have taught me how to direct my life differently, in a more positive and humble way. Thank you Dear Lord for always protecting me and being there to clear the storm. Father God, be with my family, friends and loved ones. This week is election week Father, and I pray that it goes smoothly and that there are no issues no matter what side wins. All I ask is that it may be whoever will do what is best for this great country. I pray oh God in your sons, Jesus’ name, Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
November 3, 2024
20:52
