Wednesday December 18, nearing lunch time, our communication system went down. Since the night before then, we have been locked in and unable to be taken out for work or programming. “A few good days to rest”, I thought, but it has been a week now with no natural vitamin D.
I am up today and glancing into my watch. It’s 7:46 on this beautiful December 24, 2024, and this means the chaplain was not able to come get me for the morning Christmas Eve services today. I turn over and close my eyes, and right then they call CHOW. I roll off my bunk and step onto the chair below, and get in line to grab my tray. As I near the front I look back and see my roommate is not in line. I am able to grab two trays, and two milk cartons each and take it back to our room. The “corn flake” cereal we got today is better than the all-bran cereal we usually get, yet I prefer the all-bran because of the fiber. Back to bed I go.
“Count Time”, is called, and I am out of bed, and placing my identification near the entrance of my room for the officers to do their bedbook check.
Time for lunch, as we line up at the door to grab our trays. We are given a chicken breast, white rice, beans, one tomato slice, two slices of wheat bread, some sort of mayonnaise/ketchup/thousand island sauce, and a pack of cream cookies. While we are eating, they call out for ice, and I grab a plastic bag, and rush over to the ice machine where someone else pours two scoops of ice for me and I take it back and place it in our bucket to keep some milk cartons and some Arizona teas cold.
Today is my step-dad’s birthday, “Happy Birthday Adi”. I head to the phones and give him a call.
“Good morning Adi, Happy Birthday, que estas haciendo?”, I start off as soon as he answers the call.
“Gracias, estoy bien, aqui en Vicky Bakery recogiendo unos panes que me pidio tu madre”, he responds.
“Ohhh que bueno, cuidate mucho y que tengas un lindo dia”, I tell him as we end the call.
Back to my room, and I grab an apple that Mr. Gibson gave me, and I take it to the restroom and clean it before enjoying. Time to call my mom and say hello, and try to spend some of these accumulated minutes. They are getting ready to head to my sisters home for Christmas Eve. I think it’s time for a cafecito.
Another great nap to pass the time while listening to “Fox News” on the television. Up now, and spent a few minutes with Mr. Campos until count. As the officers go around the unit counting, we wait standing in our room. We are clear in the Glasshouse to move around, and I head to the phone to try and call dad before they pass out dinner.
Dinner for this Christmas Eve was written on the National Menu as, “Salisbury Steak & Mashed Potatoes”. We received, white rice, corn, one small hamburger patty, and one slice of wheat bread, with a side sauce which kind of tasted like the grease from the burger. Mix it all together, add some Adobo seasoning and it wasn’t too bad, especially when others don’t eat the burger and I was able to eat two more. My roommate decided to grab a pack of refried beans, pour some in a small bowl, added some seasoning, put in the hot water, and mix it up until it was “pasty”, then shared some with me to add to the rice.
Just got off the phone with my mom, grandma and Adi, they are about to have dinner at my sisters house. Time for me to go shower, and warm up a bit, since it is quite cold in the Glasshouse.
Out of the shower and back to my room, I put my things away, brush my hair, put some deodorant on, grab some socks, and head to the hot water machine to prepare myself a tea. I hope the phone line doesn’t get too crowded tonight, I want to try and call a few others to say Merry Christmas so I don’t call and bother them tomorrow. Besides that, I pray that everyone has a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I ask Dear God for a great day tomorrow and that our families are safe and healthy. I pray in your name Dear Lord that you continue to guide me and take care of me, helping me build my faith in you so that I may forever continue following you. Thank you Father God for all you do. Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
December 24, 2024
19:11
