Goodbye To Detention

I remembered the two transparent bags behind the closet doors in our downstairs bedroom. Those bags I used to house all the things I used when I used to work in the prison. Stethoscope. Different kinds of colored pens for charting notes. Pen lights with lights I used to check the inmates’ pupil reactions whenever there was a riot or when the inmate just happened to be under some influence of illegal substances.Stick notes I usually carried in the left pocket of my white lab coat that came in handy when I needed to jot down something that would be significant with my documentation. The simplified lay out of the prison’s map that I used when I was a new employee. It guided me during those times I would have been going in circles as all the housing units looked alike.

I thought letting go would be hard. For each item reminded me of my being a Correctional Nurse. I cut my ID in little, random pieces. I tore those important papers with information that only belonged to the staff. Like radio codes I nervously memorized and much later, became adept at responding to calls when there was a medical emergency.

It’s trash pick up today in our area. I looked at the now clutter-less closet . Despite the darkness behind the close doors, I feel good knowing I can see clearly next time I open them.

The sun is blinding today. The day that is just beginning and no one knows what it will bring. But there will always be comfort knowing that once the light has entered one’s heart, there will always be peace, knowing that baggage of sins are removed. Daily, must we submit our hearts to that Light to allow It to search the baggage stored that bears down heavily in every corners of our hearts.

Goodbye detention center! I’m done being a Correctional Nurse at this time. But being a Christian is never-ending if we are always willing to reflect that Light to this dark place.