Sept. 3, 2021

There is one other special event that I forgot to mention. One of our Mariannnhill priests, who was recently made a bishop, was appointed as the new archbishop of Durban. Wow. Cardinal Napier finally gets to retire and Bishop Siegfried Jwara takes over. You ask how did a Zulu child get a name like Siegfried. His parents gave him the name of the priest who baptized him. It was a great honor not only for him but for the Mariannhill community as well. He is a local person having grown up in the Mariannhill diocese which is 98% Zulu. We are neighbors to Durban. It is an honor that has a huge responsibility going along with it. But we are all convinced that he is the right man for the task. I and many others promised to support him with our prayers and any other way we can as it is a daunting task to be in charge of a huge Archdiocese like Durban with all its many and varied problems.

 

Also, yesterday was my last or next to last session with the physiotherapist. I got to know and like him and will miss him. There may be one session left before he is taken off the payroll. But the exercises will continue, with Br. Albert coming faithfully every day. The object of the exercises is to stretch the hamstring muscle so that it makes it easier to straighten the leg out. Right now, after 3 yrs., the hamstring muscle has shortened so that its default position is up close to the knee in the 90% position. It is also amazing with what force the spasm unleashes itself, like a coiled spring. There are times when the spasm is a bit quiet, but there are other times when it reminds you that it still wants to be in charge. Br. Albert has to push down hard when the spasm tries to pop up so that it gets used to not being wanted now. We shall see how it works out. I can keep going for another 2 months with my exercises and with the help of Br. Albert, hoping that at the end of all these exercises we succeed in getting the leg straight (at least as straight as it is ever going to be) and getting the spasms at least a bit more under control.