New Years Greetings from Uganda-2009

Dear Friends------------------------------------------------------------- Jan.4, 2009
My first Blog in 2009 is to summarize the last 6 weeks of my life: As you may already know; my dear cousin George (more like a brother than a cousin) left his earthly body , apparently from a sudden heart attack in mid-November. His two loving sons, Brian and David Tague offered to fly me to the States for the funeral, where I somehow (with the help of dear friend Sheba) managed to arrive at the Viewing at Donahue Funeral Home in Upper Darby , outside of Phila. only ½ hr. after it started.
Packing quickly with the help of Elisabet from Sweden, grabbing my passport and as much money as the local ATM would allow, off Sheba and I drove from Kisoro Uganda to Kigale, Rwanda, where I caught a flight to Brussells (they only fly 3 days a week, Saturday being one of them). Then from Brussels to Chicago, Chicago to Phila. , hopped a taxi cab directly to the funeral , arriving only 40 hours after my presence had been requested ,
I am very grateful to George’s sons for their thoughtfulness and open hearts. George’s “boys” were his life and he will be dearly missed by them, myself and all who loved him,
Today, Jan 4th would have been his 62nd birthday, so he is particularly present in my mind and prayers as I write this.
The Viewing Sinday evening and the Funeral Mass, the next day, were particularly meaningful, as George has been in the Navy as a young man and a Police Man in Upper Darby, Pa. for some 30 years This meant that he not only had the respect that Service men receive at the gravesite, but a two man police guard remained at attention, at all times by his body. It was a very impressive ceremony and there was not a dry eye, as this much respected, loved man was laid to rest
There is always a silver lining to any tragedy and for me to spend time getting to know George’s sons, as well as staying at Brian’s and his beautiful wife ( pregnant with their first child) Barbara’s, home was one of those specks of silver that showered over me. Also seeing and spending time with my sister Theresa, my niece Heather and seeing my niece Jolie and her two precious children; Tessa age 8 years and Bobby Hugh age 2 years.
It was really cold when I arrived in the States wearing sandals and minus a coat, but thanks to my cousin Mary, a new pair of black shoes became my mainstay, as well as a borrowed winter coat from my sister Theresa. The coat has since been returned, but the shoes remained on my feet all the way home to Uganda-smile.
While in the States (as it is referred to here) I jetted off to Arkansas to spend time with the most extraordinary friends any woman could be blessed to have: Cynthia made me feel so welcomed in her home (with a view of the Greers Ferry Lake), while Carol, Carolyn, Bonnie, Jennifer and Jeannie spoiled me rotten with all my favorite foods. Seeing Sara and lunching with Sharon was a bonus.
A mini trip to Subiaco Abbey where Rebecca Wilson Southard joined me for an overnite get together. Being at Subiaco is always special for me, having spent many years there attending “Heartsong” retreats for those infected and affected with HIV-AIDS . Yet even more meaningful was being with Rebecca, bursting with her third child, due any time, only months after her mom Teresa (see Teresa-A Woman of Miracles) went to the heavens.
Seeing Brian Cook, the first time since the death of my great friend James Anderson, was mixed—one minute crying tears of loss and the next laughing at ALL the memories of a man who loved and lived life to the fullest.
Ms Ellie, 13 year old friend of mine and to the AIDS Orphans here in Uganda, was surprised when I showed up at the Red Lobster to join her and her family , prior to her attending a cotillion dance looking breathtakingly gorgeous in a gown meant for a princess. She has given parties for the AIDS Orphans as well as assisted her entire family in sponsoring Godfrey for school fees. There is a hoped-for possibility that her 21 year old sister Emily will come here to volunteer next summer. Can’t wait!

My good friend Bill, who had visited me in Uganda last March, came, both to AR to see me and hosted me in his home in Nashville, Tenn, serving Pork Cops next to a roaring fire, with the house aglow in festive decorations and candles,. as I drove my old car (my 1994 Saturn with over 300. 000 miles) to Pittsburgh PA. for my friend Joan( thanks for the Lamb dinner-yummy) to use.
From Pittsburgh to Phila in a rented vehicle, them an Amtrax train to New York City to visit Heather. Highlites of my NYC visit were: to hear, for the first time, Heather singing Rock and Roll with her band “The Fifth”, see Heathers dear friend Marni , who I have known since she was 17 years old ,star as Christine on Broadway in “Phantom of the Opera”, see another dear friend of Heathers from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Zoe sing with her band, in her “spare time” while pregnant with her first child and working as a full time M.D..
I, also, was able to see Laurie, whose wedding I attended so many Junes ago in the Pocono Mt. of PA, with her unbelievable adorable child Hunter, as well as meet Gregg Gentile, the great guy in Heathers life ( a guitarist in her band by night and a business man by day). Gregg’s mother, also named Marie, was my “date” to see Marni in Phantom of the Opera. Heather treated us to a pre-show dinner, across the street, where we had a star sighting (Chevy Chase) at the next table .
I did not have my camera on this trip, so I am completely dependent on friends and family for any photos that might have been taken.
I braved a snow storm while in NYC, which isn’t too difficult because of subways and the availability of food, shopping and entertainment at every corner. I attended a beautiful cathedral-like church called “Holy Trinity” only a block away from Heathers and attended two movies )” Australia “and “Four Christmases”
I was able to visit with dear friend Jim Brennan and his wife Elaine, in the village. Though Jim has had health problems for several years, his mind was clear and brilliant. I consider it an honor to have seen this dear friend of my heart. I always leave feeling better, centered and “on track” in my life’s journey, having spent time in his presence.
Returning to Philadelphia, prior to Christmas, I stayed with dear friend Michele Perilli and her significant other, Ed, as well as my cousin Mary and her husband and significant other for some 52 years.(smile). Mary and Dick are a rare couple, not just married with children and grandchildren, but together they, joyously, share their time and skills helping anyone and everyone who needs them (their goodness reminds me so very much of my own parents). I felt honored that they took me into their home and shared their family and Christmas festivities so openly with this little ( not so little anymore since eating constantly –ha) missionary from Uganda., I still savor the taste of the prime roast Mary prepared for me and her son, (and my godchild) Kevin, the day before I left. When I say I never could have gotten to the Philadelphia Airport, returned the rented car and lugged all my many bags into the airport, without their help, I am not at all jesting
A grade school friend , Eileen McCabe Malloy, gave a luncheon in my honor, where she and I with dear friend Peggy Quinn Garafolo joined by Gerry Sharkey Walker and Patsy Shoppit ? to remember school memories when we attended St. Margaret’s in Narberth, PA from age 6 years to 14 years .I was astonished at how Gerry and Peggy seemed to recall all the slightest detail (including Nuns names) while Eileen, Patsy and I could only gloss over the highlites (or in some cases lowlites) ha.
I also joined my old Nursing School buddy Phyllis Laudenslager- Gossin with her family, at the Rose Tree Inn to celebrate Phyllis’s birthday. The Rose Tree Inn, near Media, was a favorite hangout of mine, as Bill Ferguson and I frequented this establishment in the 70’s. It is where I learned I actually” liked “ salads and adored broiled scallop’s .
Michele now has been Cancer free for 4 years and finally has a man in her life ( Ed) that sees what a wonderful person she is and treats her with the love and respect she so deserves. Some 21 yrs and 18 yrs ago, respectively, I was honored to share the birth of Michele’s 3 children (Dylan, Ana Marie and Johnny) with her.
Many of you know that one of the things I so miss, living so far from the city in Uganda, is going to the movies. Well, I went frequently while in PA and NYC and brought back with me scillions of DVD’s of movies and TV series, both for myself and all the children. The AIDS Orphans Program does not, as yet, have a DVD player, but when we do, you will see the photographed faces of over 130 children immersed in everything from Sesame Street to Rin Tin Tin. Can’t wait!
Prior to this unexpected trip to the States, several boxes of Black Dolls had been sent to be gifted to the AIDS Orphans and the children in the Pediatric Ward. I just opened them yesterday and they are phenomenal! Soon we will gift the children with these dolls, taking and sharing many pictures with you. Just today, 13 year old Florida came by to visit after Sunday mass and I had her pick her favorite. Choosing from the Ragababies, each made and decorated by individual African-American children for our kids, or ethnic dolls from Joan Dickerson’s mothers collection or stunning African-American Barbie- dolls, was a hard choice for Florida, but she finally settled on a African garbed baby doll which cries when you turn it over.
So, now I am “home” and will start back to work in several hours, happy to be resuming my life as a medical missionary, here at St. Francis-Mutolere. .
Baby Michael is safe and sound at Potters Village Babies Home. I saw his beautiful face when I arrived and though a bit shy at first, he opened his little arms to me once he heard me speak and sing to him. .He walks holding onto furniture but has not yet taken his first unattended step. Perhaps that will be this weekend when I bring him home for a visit.-smile.
More very soon and, of course, lots of photos!
Blessings in the New Year
Marie
Ps I have included my favorite New Years Prayer, which holds more meaning for me this year than ever.