Auf Wiedersehen 

Wednesday afternoon we bid farewell to Mischa, who is returning to Germany after a year's service here. He will be sorely missed, as he is truly a 'man for all seasons', his energy and whit pervading Harbor House. People shared their stories of Mischa and entertained with a skit. . . "A day in the life of. . ."  I emoted with a poem in German by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (with apologies for pronunciation) and its English translation, which is also a beautiful meditation:

Wandrers Nachtlied II	Wayfarer's Night Song II

Über allen Gipfeln	Over all the hilltops
Ist Ruh,	is calm.
In allen Wipfeln	In all the treetops
Spürest du	you feel
Kaum einen Hauch;	hardly a breath of air.
Die Vögelein schweigen in Walde.	The little birds fall silent in the woods.
Warte nur, balde	Just wait... soon
Ruhest du auch.	you'll also be at rest.

Walking a Tight Rope

Well I safely transported a van full of people to the Shriner's Circus and back last night. . . praise God!  As we drove up, PETA lined the driveway with its protest signs.  I did feel pretty badly for the bears being put through their paces; even they looked bored.  Altogether, it was a pretty weak circus. The chimp wore pants and rode a scooter.  The pacing was awful and it dragged on interminably until the jump roping guys, and there is no way to explain their act, but it was darn good.

Our 'core members' are mostly sweet and gentle souls, but some sulk and become impatient, angry, reluctant to participate and on the whole, behave as children at times.  Some behavior calls for discipline, but they have their own Bill of Rights and are free to make choices.  Therefore, it can be a real balancing act at times.

More Milestones

I've passed a driver's test and can now drive a ten passenger van.  We're taking several houses to the circus on Saturday, so please pray for me.  Also been certified to assist in the administration of medications.  Pray for me again!   Finally, all the piano and guitar lessons have come to fruition, as I've been designated to play at our prayer services and social get-togethers.  

Today the coordinators and assistants gathered for 'formation' at the home of a friend of the community. David is a retired CEO, whose generosity and kindliness are a beautiful gift to Harbor House. We have an open invitation to swim in his pool, overlooking the Arlington River, any time of day or night.  This morning we watched a video of the life and service of Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, followed by small group discussion and sharing.

After lunch, Dave took several of us out on in his 26 foot SeaRay.  Having previously lived overlooking the St. John's River, it was fun to experience it from the water.  We followed a pod of porpoise past the Jaguar's Stadium (with the dubious distinction of having the largest electronic scoreboard in the Country), and past The Riverwalk in downtown Jacksonville.

Thirsting for good conversation

It's Saturday morning and everyone is watching Pop-Eye, the Sailor Man.  Our other assistant, Mariuz, who is a wonder, doing everything from attending to the physical and psychological needs of the most dependent core members to fixing the washing machine, to cooking most of the meals, is a good looking, young man from Poland, who also wears a hearing aid.  His accent is very hard to understand.  So you see how I am yearning for some adult communication.  I would  love to have a closer relationship with the two Sisters of St. Joseph on campus, but both are house coordinators with a myriad of responsibilities, and I rarely see them.

My day off begins at 9:00 p.m. tonight with Sunday and Monday free.  Monday I practice with my old tennis team. I won't be able to play competitively with them, as their matches are on Thursdays, but it's just great to be out on the courts again, if only briefly. We have yoga class here on Thursdays and cardio exercise on Fridays.  So I just really need to exercise my mouth once in awhile.

Tests for Certification

AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) is very rigorous in Florida, as there is a history of fraud and abuse due to the vulnerable population of elders living here.  As for the developmentally disabled, an astounding 90% of this population has been physically or sexually abused.  Since arriving at L'Arche, I've completed an FBI criminal background check, fingerprinting, motor vehicle check, Zero Tolerance course, TB test and physical, incidence reporting, and yesterday, an administration of medications course.  At Greatfull House, we have two severely disabled residents, both prone to seizures at times.

Otherwise, I find myself cooking for eight once again, about twice a week, dealing with who likes this and who doesn't like that.  We are supposed to prepare only very healthy meals, however, since we receive most of our food from the food bank, our freezer is loaded with ham, bacon, pork and sausage.  I've been supplementing a few items myself, and so far, I've made a quiche lorraine and tonight, a steak Teriyaki stir fry and key lime pie.  (This was, at least, received with many kudos.)

Last night, the Resurrection Episcopal Church hosted a monthly dance party for us with a disk jockey and karaoke.  If I can figure out how to post the pictures on Face Book, I shall. 

Marywood

We have joined our friends at the Faith and Sharing Retreat for Mass in a lovely, little chapel in the woods on the grounds of Marywood, on the Saint Johns River in Switzerland, Florida.   Bishop Estavez, the Archbishop of St. Augustine and surrounding counties, is presiding.  The crowd is exuberant, the singing so heartfelt.  Our Kathy doesn't always know the words and sings off key, but she really belts it out.

After a shared meal, we hear a forceful talk by John Foppe, born without arms, who has faced obstacles, both physical and emotional, his entire life. While some see his condition as a debilitating handicap, John disagrees. "Our only handicaps are those mental and emotional ones that prevent us from participating fully in life."   His message was one of taking responsibility and not letting oneself become a victim of  one's disability.  His latest book is titled, "What's Your Excuse?"

Settling In

I rise at 6:00 a.m., which isn't as sacrificial as it sounds, as I that is where my circadian clock is set.  Down to the kitchen to help with breakfast and pack lunches.  Several 'core members' go out for about four hours to work each day - McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Publix, etc.  This is, however, after Morning Prayer, which is said in a different house each day.  All who wish, gather to read Scripture, share and pray.  This morning we listened to God through silent meditation.

Assistants do housework from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. then have free time until 2:00 p.m.  Tuesday I drove Marius, Emma and Micha to the beach, as they don't have cars.  Marius is from Poland; Emma and Micha from Germany.  They are all delightful, exuberant and extremely dedicated.  I walked two miles on the sand while they surfed and sunbathed.

After supper last night, we took the van and drove down to The Riverwalk to stroll and buy ice cream.  At this point, you must be wondering where the sacrifice comes in, as I just seem to be having fun.  There is a serious side to all this, which you'll see later on.  I am really just observing right now, and I have to go through medication training and take other tests to be able to handle things on my own.

Some members and assistants have been on retreat at Marywood this week.  We are joining them dinner and for Mass tonight, said by the Bishop.

GREATFULL HOUSE

I know it's misspelled, but that's how the members see themselves.  There are other houses at L'Arche, Harbor House:  Sunflower, Peace, Nouwan and Prayer.  Since I've come, there has been a lot of celebrating.  Friday night was goodbye to present assistants (which is what we're called) and welcome to the new.  Good food, singing and dancing, skits, testimonials and lots of hugging and tears of farewell.  Saturday the director's five month old baby was blessed by the entire community in a very moving tribute.  After Sunday Mass today, our house went to a bowling birthday party for Dino.  Like in most sports, I have great form but only scored a troubling 50; every core member beat me, including Pam, who is in a wheelchair!

Two assistants have already left, two more tomorrow.  It's the biggest attrition in a long time.  Kate is going back to Chicago.  She is a lovely looking girl with a lovely soul.  She is so gentle, loving and patient.  I have been 'shadowing' her and awed by what she is able to accomplish.  I am feeling very apprehensive about her departure.

San Pedro Retreat, Catholic Volunteers in Florida

I have left home and family, for one year, to follow God's calling to serve.  I am living in a group home for developmentally disabled adults in Jacksonville, Florida.  The name of the community is L'Arche, a world-wide movement begun by Jean Vanier in France in 1964.  Until he brought three men into his home, they had been, literally, 'disposed' of in jails and mental institutions of the worst sort.  That was the genesis of a concept that has brought peace and dignity to many.

I shall begin this blog, however, with CVIF's retreat in Orlando.  We were twelve men and women, mostly recently graduated college students, together for four days of workshops, team building, lectures on living in community, personality types, discernment, social justice, spiritual and personal growth, etc.
 
Because I am nearly a century older than all the attendees, I figured I had most of the answers.  I was astounded by the collective wisdom of these twenty year olds.  And they were so much FUN, besides!  A married couple, of just three months, will be returning to the Dominican Republic, living on a mountaintop with no running water or electricity.  They will be working with school children.  Another alumni of CVIF is going with them, but she will serve in the city.  Two of our Jacksonville friends are reporting to Jewish Family Services to work with foster children.  Others will be serving in Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne.  Some wish to go on to graduate school after this year; others are still discerning.

The grounds of San Pedro are lovely.  Our first assignment was a scavenger hunt to get to know one another.  Told to find landmarks on the property, we took pictures of ourselves at the labyrinth and on the hiking path, etc.  A statue of Mary was on the list, and my how she treats her friends!  As I stepped away from her, I took with me a hoard of red ants biting into my feet and legs.  Days later, I still have ugly, red welts all over my lower extremities.

I am just getting to know the "core members" of  L'Arche and will report on life here later.