Just when I thought I would get up and go to the recreation yard, I realized today is Tuesday November 26, 2024 and it is our commissary day for this week and later after I need to be in the chapel to help my counselor with Admission and Orientation for the twenty-six new arrivals. I am up and out of bed at 5:20, and the officers are coming by for the last count of the night. I get what I need and get washed up and dressed, need to go get Mr. Rivero. EXCELLENT, he is already up and ready and is just drinking his morning coffee. I pull his “Cadillac” out of his room and wait for him. As soon as they call “CHOW” we are wheeling our way on down to Food Service.
Standing out front of the commissary area, we stand away from everyone; it’s real crowded by two units of guys waiting to have their names called. I look at my watch and it is now 7:30, we have yet to be called. Shortly after, I hear my name from window two and head over. I scan my thumbprint and the officer begins scanning my items to me. Once done, we are lucky enough they call Mr. Rivero and he comes walking over.
Heading back to the unit with extra baggage on the wheelchair, I am getting my workout in for the day pushing him back to the unit. I drop off Mr. Rivero in his room, store away his chair, and leave my bag of commissary with him so I could head to the chapel in time for the orientation. Thankfully they have not started and I am able to assist them as needed.
I was able to assist my case manager and the chaplain by translating what they spoke, to the Spanish speakers, then provided all the sheets to each person to be signed acknowledging their attendance in the orientation and answering several questions others had.
The chapel gets locked, and everyone is out; I head back to my unit. As I wait for the time to pass before lunch, I sit down to read my devotionals. The one for today that caught my attention the most was from the booklet, “Our Daily Bread” for today’s date.
“You give them something to eat”
[Mark 6:37]
It talks about a “Partnership with God”. To me how I understand this, is we are to feed others, not only with food, but the Word of God, so that they may do the same one day. I believe in leaving things in the hand of God, but we need to do our part. God will help us and guide us but we need to prepare ourselves and our ways, and everything else will come as needed. In the end of the reflection it reads, “God often does His miraculous work through the methods He’s placed in our hands.” As I continue to help others, God will Help me by using others, but I need to allow that help, with faith that it was God who sent that person my way.
Lunch is called, everyone is in the unit is pacing towards the door. False alarm, as everyone backs away from the door, not sure as to why the officer called “chow”.
Now it’s for real, and we head to the dining room. Today being Tuesday is chicken patty day. We received a tray of rice and beans, corn, the chicken patty, a hamburger bun, a small desert muffin, lettuce, two tomato slices, and two small packs of mayonnaise. I was quite surprised with the meal today wondering, why can’t they provide us portions like this every day? Lunch is over, and we head back to the unit. Arriving at the unit, I see an officer passing out certificates and two ice-cream pops, and notice it is the officer that conducted the “Alcoholic Anonymous” course in the Re-Entry department. I step on over and hear my name being called. One more class in the books; another certificate for my profile, the knowledge tank continues to fill.
After dropping of Mr. Rivero, I grab what I need and head out of the unit towards the chapel, and the officer asks me to return to the unit, so back I go. By 1pm, I take the move over to the chapel, only to find that it was closed and no chaplain was available. By 1:15, the move was over and I could not be waiting there any longer, so I head back to the unit. The only service today was at 1pm, and no chaplain would be available in the evening, so I decide to organize my things in my room, and lay down for an afternoon nap. A few minutes later my roommate arrives and says to me, “Hey what happened, why aren’t you in the chapel?”
“I was there at 1pm and the chaplain wasn’t there, so I waited then left, I didn’t want to get in trouble”, I told him.
As soon as I put my head down and close my eyes, it was as if I set off an alarm for guys in the Glasshouse to begin talking, but thankfully somehow I doze off until count time. Count clears early, I call my dad to say hello. Tonight is a new menu item for dinner. Beef with broccoli, with rice, and it seems like many others will be going as well. As soon as they call for dinner, I walk besides Mr. Lorenzo and Bon-Bon. The food was good and filling, but time to head back to the dorm again and wait for the recreation move. First Tuesday night in a long time that I am able to go to the yard and practice in the music room with the Christian band. Tonight we practiced the song “Be Alright” by Evan Craft, Danny Gokey & Redimi2. One guy on guitar, one on bongo’s, and the other on drums, while I have the microphone in hand. We plan to perform this particular song for the 1pm English and 2pm Spanish service since it is a Bilingual song. After two hours of practice, I head back to the unit, to call mom and end the day. She is still a little sick, but mima and my step-dad are feeling better thankfully.
On my way to shower, and later sit down to watch some television until bedtime. Tomorrow I am definitely waking up early, need to get with my counselor about a few things, and try to make it over to the yard before the morning ends. “Gutfeld” is on the Fox News channel, and I don’t want to miss it as I we wait for count.
Today I thank you Father God. I come to you in a simple prayer asking to always watch over and keep us safe. This week is Thanksgiving, and many families are separated; only You know why and for how long. I do my best each and every day dear Lord, and pray that you continue to guide me so that I may live the best life I possibly can, always with You first in my heart. Thank you Lord for all the good and positive people you have put around me, even the negative ones help me build my strength and faith in you because somehow, someway you keep me truthful, honest, and humble. Thank you so much. Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
November 26, 2024
22:12
