I just came in from my cell block's recreation yard...
It's now 10 PM, and the end of a busy Sunday. As is my usual, I was up at five o'clock on this cold February morning. I heated up some water for a cup of instant coffee, and then sat on the edge of my bunk to pray. This is my daily routine. It's how I start each day. I like to refer to it as my "quiet time."
Then at six o'clock, I stood fully dressed at the front of my cell with my overhead light on, for what is known as the mandatory "standing count." The count is always done at this time in every state prison in New York. However, once it's finished, I will sit back down on my bunk to read from my bible until it's time for me to head to the mess hall at 7 AM for breakfast.
Afterwards, comes lunch, around noon time. While at one o'clock on Sundays the call is made for those going to the chapel, to do so. Our worship service goes from 1 to 3:30. And from here it's back to the housing area where I could take a shower or hang out in the cell block's recreation area. I opted for the shower.
Later, after supper, I had the option to hang out in the housing area's crowded and noisy indoor dayroom, stay in my cell, or go to the outdoor yard for the evening. I opted to stay in my cell until 8 PM, where I spent the time catching up on my mail, to be followed by going outdoors for the second yard period from 8 to 10 PM.
So promptly, at eight, I donned my winter clothing and off I went to the yard. The air was cold and invigorating, as one would expect for a February evening in New York's Hudson Valley. I greeted the guys who were out there with me, and I then went on to walk in circles within the yard's perimeter.
With the sky steeped in deep darkness, I found myself looking upwards, drawn to a scattered array of tiny glimmering lights that were mostly distant stars, but a few were probably planets as well. However, I couldn't tell which was which. Knowing that the prison guard who was assigned to oversee the C-Block yard this evening was known for his interest in astronomy and had a good knowledge of our solar system, I asked if he could please point out the planets. He was happy to do so. Looking skyward with an outstretched hand, he said that one was Jupiter. Then turning in another direction, he said, and that's Mars.
I couldn't help but think that one day I may actually get the chance to visit those planets, but not in this lifetime. I will have to wait until I join the Lord Jesus, in heaven. But until then, my eyes will remain looking upwards to a vast universe that seems to have no end.
D.B.
Then at six o'clock, I stood fully dressed at the front of my cell with my overhead light on, for what is known as the mandatory "standing count." The count is always done at this time in every state prison in New York. However, once it's finished, I will sit back down on my bunk to read from my bible until it's time for me to head to the mess hall at 7 AM for breakfast.
Afterwards, comes lunch, around noon time. While at one o'clock on Sundays the call is made for those going to the chapel, to do so. Our worship service goes from 1 to 3:30. And from here it's back to the housing area where I could take a shower or hang out in the cell block's recreation area. I opted for the shower.
Later, after supper, I had the option to hang out in the housing area's crowded and noisy indoor dayroom, stay in my cell, or go to the outdoor yard for the evening. I opted to stay in my cell until 8 PM, where I spent the time catching up on my mail, to be followed by going outdoors for the second yard period from 8 to 10 PM.
So promptly, at eight, I donned my winter clothing and off I went to the yard. The air was cold and invigorating, as one would expect for a February evening in New York's Hudson Valley. I greeted the guys who were out there with me, and I then went on to walk in circles within the yard's perimeter.
With the sky steeped in deep darkness, I found myself looking upwards, drawn to a scattered array of tiny glimmering lights that were mostly distant stars, but a few were probably planets as well. However, I couldn't tell which was which. Knowing that the prison guard who was assigned to oversee the C-Block yard this evening was known for his interest in astronomy and had a good knowledge of our solar system, I asked if he could please point out the planets. He was happy to do so. Looking skyward with an outstretched hand, he said that one was Jupiter. Then turning in another direction, he said, and that's Mars.
I couldn't help but think that one day I may actually get the chance to visit those planets, but not in this lifetime. I will have to wait until I join the Lord Jesus, in heaven. But until then, my eyes will remain looking upwards to a vast universe that seems to have no end.
D.B.
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