Trying to Catch Up

Time goes quickly. I did not realize that I had not posted anything since the spring (2019). The winter has been mild. I had no difficulties traveling during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. I was able to attend the exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibitions were good but just being in the museum where I ventured as a child brought good memories.

Last spring I was notified that I was part of a list of kidney patients who might be able to have a kidney transplant in 6 months to a year. I attended the meeting at the end of March. In June I received a call. There was a kidney that was available and it looked like a good match. I was not able to use it because I had a tooth infection which was part of the pre-operative work. No transplant operation when one has an infection. Another call came a few months later. The nurse said it looked good on paper but they wouldn't be able to tell until they examined it in the lab. That call came through on a Monday afternoon. The next morning (Tuesday) I received a call. The kidney was not a good match as they had hoped. A third call came at about 2:45 in the morning. I was on the PD machine. A kidney looked good. I would have to disconnect from the machine and call my support person (Eric Crump) and come to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). I hung up the phone and was getting ready to disconnect from the PD machine when I received a follow-up call from UMMC. The time-frame would not work. The nurse said that one day the call will be for me.

On February 10, 2020, I was in the lounge area of my primary physician (Dr. Miller) awaiting to see him for my regular visit. My cell phone rang and it was from the UMMC. The nurse said that there was a kidney available and looked like at a good match for me. I asked whether I could call her back as I was about to see my primary physician. She said yes. I then called Eric, who was in the seminary library. I told him what had transpired. he said he would be able to drive me to Baltimore but had to return immediately to Gettysburg for a meeting. I said that would work for me. When I saw Dr. Miller, I told him what had transpired. He said, "This is what we have been waiting for." He looked at my latest tests and said, it looked good from what he could see. I left the office and when I arrived home I called the nurse at UMMC. I was still in shock but asked "What do I do now?" She asked, "When can you get here? I said I'd call my support person and get back to her. Eric said he could leave at 2:45 PM. I related that to the nurse who gave me instructions as to the check-in process. I called my sister and brother-in-law in New York and told them the news. Eric dropped my off at the hospital at about 4:30 PM. I wasn't doing a lot of talking but was still numb. Could this really be happening? I went to the admissions desk. The staff person could see I was nervous. She said, "You have done what you can do, now let us do our work." That was so true. Her words helped to calm me down. I was escorted to the elevator...The preparation began, the change into hospital garb, blood work, etc. After a couple of hours, I was prepped and the nurses were ready to take me down. One nurse asked if I wanted prayer, I said, "yes." She prayed. I was astonished that she asked me the question and really surprised when she prayed. The other nurse remained there. After the prayer was completed, I was prepared physically and spiritually for surgery. I was rolled to the surgery room at about 7:00 PM.

From what I could observe, I was the last person to leave the recovery room at about 2 PM (I has asked the staff person the time. If I remember correctly, it was about 2 AM when I returned to my room. There were lots of health persons who I saw in the post-op days. I have to admit, I had excellent care. From the non-professional to the professional staff. I was released on Saturday, 15 February. Jeanie and Robert were at my house when I received the word that I would be discharged. It just so happened that Bob Gahagen (the pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY) and his wife Bertha were coming by to see me at the hospital. So, they came to visit and brought me home to Gettysburg on their way back to Brooklyn from spending time in Pittsburgh. It could not have worked out any better if we had planned it. Before being officially discharged, I had to demonstrate that I could count out and place the pills in the pill box....and there were LOTS of pills. I was given instructions for living at home. I could not be around large gatherings of people nor with people who had the flu/cold. Just a few weeks later, everyone in the U.S. had similar instructions due to the coronavirus. So, I was not alone.

My post-op routine has included: weekly blood work at Lab Corp in Taneytown, MD which is then sent to UMMC, periodic visits with my nephrologist, endocrinologist, pulmonary, my primary physician, etc. There are routine adjustments to my medications. I continue to isolate myself and certainly wear my mask when in public. 

In sum, I am so thankful for the transplant. I wrote a letter to the family of the person whose kidney I received. Although I was on the list for a transplant, I didn't think it would happen to me. God has been so gracious and continues to show power in our lives.

Post-Paris and other Musings

I can't believe we are in the midst of the spring season. In the middle of March I made my trip to France. It happened that I arrived the day before the "Celebration of Life" for Patricia LaPlante-Collins. It was a celebration with words from several of her friends and music with a jazz combo. There were a host of American ex-patriates as well as French attendees. The grand-daughter of Richard Wright was also there. Patricia had a host of acquaintances. My reason for using that word is that fact that she had been found in her apartment having bee dead for a couple of weeks. It was only after her ex-husband had not heard from her that he had her apartment opened and she was found. Although I have been in Cimetière Père LaChaise to see monuments of my favorite French writers, philosophers, musicians, etc., I never thought that I would attend a funeral at the Columbarium. After the celebration, we walked to the nearby cafe and had wine and aux d'oeuvres. I was glad that I was able to attend and at the same time saddened by the event. Part of my routine on my trips to Paris was to go to Patricia's soirées on Sunday evenings. In addition, I would meet her during the week to catch up on life while having a drink at Café St. Victor.  That routine is now finished; it is part of the past.

I was able to take the train to Amsterdam (March 19)and had lunch with one of my early confirmation students from Advent Lutheran Church in Cleveland. I had not seen Janet Thompson in about 40 years. She is now a law professor and was spending a sabbatical in the Groningen, Netherlands. We met for lunch and talked until we had to catch our respective trains. It was so uplifting to hear about her life, family and career.

I am in the midst of working on a presentation/article on Americans in France. I went to Tours (March 18) to interview two Americans who are now living there. It was a delightful interview. Matthew grew up in Gettysburg and lives with his French husband in Tours.

I made a quick trip to Erquy to visit with Maryvonne and Christian. It was a one day, no, one afternoon trip due to my not looking at my email until that Wednesday morning at about 3 AM. I was able to get a seat on the noon train to Lamballe. I sent a text message to Maryvonne. She and Christian were able to pick me up at that station. We had time to have lunch, take a walk to the beach and then head back to Lamballe for my 6:18 PM train to Rennes and then to Paris. They were so gracious about the mix-up and I think they enjoyed the crazy schedule. They have become really good friends.

Another adventure for me was attending Livres Paris (Book Fair) with publishers from France, the European Union, China, Russia, and Africa. Books upon books. I was good and only bought 4 books. I also indulged in clams from Brittany.

I worshiped at Notre Dame. I always enjoy liturgy there because I think of all those who worshiped there for over 800 years. I took a picture of the chancel area before worship. Little did i and anyone else know  that there would be a fire there on April 17 during Holy Week.

I had lunch with Catherine Ferguson and a movie and dinner with Yves

I returned on March 22. I think this was a powerful trip. France continues to be a place that brings me calm.

Remembering a Paris Friend

I learned today that Patricia LaPlante-Collins died. She developed Parissoirée which brought together ex-patriates on Sunday evenings for cocktails, dinner, and a presentation by a musician, artist, author, etc. I made two presentations at the soirée. My last was last March dealing with my research project on ex-patriates. My Sunday evenings in Paris were always at the soirée.

I interviewed Patricia three times for The Seminary Explores radio program. Sh e was always open to my requests for the interviews.

I am planning my trip to Paris for the spring and will have dinner and a drink at Café St. Victor

Phases

Today marks another phase for me and some friends. Our colleague and friend Brooks Schramm, professor of Old Testament at United Lutheran Seminary (formerly faculty of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg) departed for California. After three and a half years, he took a call at in Santa Barbara to join his spouse, Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, professor of Reformation History, on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (part of California Lutheran University). She was on the faculty at Gettysburg. I have known Brooks since his coming to Gettysburg in 1994. A scholar, pastor, and teacher, we were not  only colleagues but good friends. His presence will be missed by students and colleagues. I took he and Kirsi to Dulles Airport this afternoon. Eric Crump was also along. He has known Brooks for about 40 years. Needless to say, I already feel the void.

To be honest, I find endings to be difficult. I know my friendship with Brooks and Kirsi will continue but it will certainly take on a different dimension.  As I grow older endings become too present.

Christmastide 2018

I spent Christmas in New York as usual. Christmas in New York is a unique event. I think the important piece for me is being with family. The family is a lot smaller than when I was growing up in Brooklyn but the feeling is still there. In addition to family, it is always good to assist at the Christmas Eve liturgy at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. It has been a part of my life for a very long time. It is always good to see old friends.

The sad part of the holiday was the death of  James Echols. He was a colleague. He certainly made history. He was the first African American to be Dean at our Philadelphia Seminary and the first African American to be president of our seminary at Chicago. A fine scholar (Church History), pastor, teacher, administrator. A fine churchman.

On the New Year, I received the news of the death of Thelma Williams. She was choir director at Advent Lutheran Church where I served as pastor from 1975 to 1987. She was a fine harpist and the use of her instrument at the Christmas Eve liturgy made a memorable time for all. We remained friends after leaving Advent. She was also present when I received the Paulssen-Hale Chair at Gettysburg Seminary. She will be missed. Last night I found a tape from one of  the choir concerts at Advent where Thelma is singing, "Jesus is the way" with the choir. I had to play it several  times. May she rest in peace. Pastor Killings asked whether I was open to helping with  the funeral liturgy. I was honored to be asked and will participate. I  attended and participated in the funeral.

At the repast at Advent, I was able to see some of my former parishioners. It brought back good memories of my years in that congregation.

An Anniversary of 45 years

It seems hard to believe but 45 years ago on this day, June 10, 1973 I was ordained at my home congregation (Epiphany Lutheran) in Brooklyn, New York. I posted the anniversary on my Facebook page and there were a number of comments. Certainly more than I expected. In ministry, Word and Sacrament or Word and Service, there are always ups and downs, but the ups outweigh the down times. I have been blessed by family, congregants, students and colleagues who inspired and supported me over the years.

Prior to this 45th year, I had two significant events that occurred in April. On April 29th my portrait was unveiled in the Wentz library. I was the first African American to be tenured at Gettysburg...I must also say I will be the last since Gettysburg Seminary no longer exits. It is now the Gettysburg campus of United Lutheran Seminary. On April 18, I was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for service in ministry but the Alumni Association. My classmate, Bob Musser nominated me. I was certainly humbled by these two events. When I arrived in Gettysburg as a student in September 1969, I never imagined that Gettysburg would play such an important part in my life. I am thankful.

Catching Up

The past couple of months have been hectic but exhilarating at the same time.

Time abroad. On March 20 I left for Paris. It was an experiment. I started home dialysis (PD) in September and wanted to see how I might travel abroad with the cycler unit and ancillary equipment. It worked out better than I imagined. The Baxter company had the solution boxes delivered to Hotel du Lion a day or two before my arrival. When I connected in the evening, everything functioned as programmed. That lessened one part of my anxiety on the trip. My other objective on the trip was to continue my "Americans in Paris" project. I had read some of the literature and now wanted to interview Americans living in Paris. I was able to do three in-person interviews.

I interviewed Patricia who has lived in Paris for about 28 years. We had our conversation at St. Victor on a Friday evening. A few days later, on Sunday, I interviewed July who has lived in Paris for 48 years. We had our discussion at Miss Marple's, an English restaurant. On the following Tuesday, March 27, I talked with Catherine who moved to Paris in 2016. She is 80 years old. This is an exciting  beginning to this project. I hope to continue the interview process in Paris, in the fall.

On Sunday, 25 March, I presented my interest and research on the topic at the Paris Soiree gathering. They offered good comments for me to consider in my research. I was thankful for the opportunity discuss the project.

On Palm Sunday I worshiped at Eglise des Billettes, the Lutheran Church where Daniel Payne attended in the 19th century. I usually worship there when in Paris. Pastor Joly is no longer there. The new pastor is a good preacher, but the liturgy lacked something and there were no palms. The only indication that it was Palm Sunday was the gospel reading. I would have gone to Notre Dame afterward but I had lunch scheduled with a Judy.

In addition to the project, I did get to see the Mary Cassatt (American expressionist who lived in Paris) exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André. The last time I saw here work was in Washington, DC when I was in seminary.

I must say that I found  the trip to be a great relief. I was able to travel without trouble. I can travel as a dialysis patient! I am thankful to God for letting me see that life continues even in illness. Now, I can plan my next trip across the Atlantic pond.