Nov,24,2021

On the 10th, my friends from Pretoria ( I married them 11 yrs. ago) Phola, Nhlanhla and

 a friend, Llungi, invited me to lunch. I was delighted, and pictures were taken to remember the occasion.

 

On the 12^th I had a visit from a friend, Robby, who owns a trucking company that has only Volvos. I keep teasing him about going electric now before it is too late, and Volvo is shutting down their combustion engines in a few yrs. He will be caught with his pants down. I also noticed  that I had an infernal itch that was driving me crazy.

 

On the 20^th, we had the ordination of two Mozambican priests, Palabra and Leopoldo, and two deacons, one from Kenya, Otieno, and the other from Mozambique, Petardo. We are making headway and the Africans are the future, And even present, of Mariannhill, if it is going to continue when we old timers fade out of the picture.

 

Yesterday, the 23rd, I had Mass at the Denis Hurley Center, in remembrance of Archbishop Hurley and his collaborator, Paddy Kearney, both icons in the struggle against aparatheid and founders of this center, unique in the whole world, All Christian denominations, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Buddists working together to bring help to the people in the inner city, the marginalized, homeless, sleeping under bridges or in the park…..a place to take a shower, pick up some old clothes,… a meal a day….a clinic staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses…a legal center for migrants,,, and other involvements (like classes for the migrants who live n natal, to learn Zulu). Unique in the whole world, all working together. Wow , it was an honor to be invited to lead the service. And I enjoyed it, from my wheelchair. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work but it went well.

 

And today, the 24^th, H had forgotten that I had a dentist appointment at 8am, and I was in line for communion when I remembered. Ha. Right after communion (I only use one crutch to go up to communion, the other is lying in my pew) and because I was late, I went running out of the chapel with one crutch. I only realized it when I got to the door. Too late to go back and fetch the other. I managed to get to the car, drive there (in the convent next door…not far) and managed.   Progress. I have also been trying yesterday and today to walk from my office to my bedroom without leaning on anything and I did it. It is definitely a walk but not one you would want to immmitate.

 

On Saturday, the 27^th, I have an appointment with a dermatologist at 9:30 and lunch with my friend Shirley, celebrating out birthdays, her 27^th and my 26.  (Sunday is my birthday, the 28^th, but that will come in the next blog.