Biography-22 ; People I want to remember-9

Fr Joe Antony, was professor of Communications at Loyola College, Chennai and the editor of a fortnightly, New Leader. He is  an author, composer, retreat leader and a mentor. He is now offering the leadership to his community at a provincial level.

Dear Fr Joe Anotny,

As I have turned seventy, I look back at my life and remember friends who influenced, mentored and cared for me at different seasons in my life. You have been one of those who encouraged and affirmed me in different ways during our stay in Chennai between 1983 and 1997.

Although I have not been in touch with you after we left Chennai to reallocate at CMC Vellore, there was a regular recollection of you and your contributions in our lives every time the New Leader arrived every month. 

I remember meeting you for the first time during the parents meeting at Our Lady’s nursery, where you were also a resource person. Your talk on emotional intelligence struck a cord within me as I too was considering that theme in my work with children and families who have had developmental needs. Since then we jointly conducted the parents meetings  for a few years and had several others opportunities to stay in touch.

A few things come to my mind. Your warm and affectionate attitude touched me. You listened, understood and  reached out to make a difference to my own thoughts and perspectives. Your faith and devotion to God was evident in all that you said and did. You even invited me to write for the New Leader which was a privilege. You came to visit us at ASHIRVAD Child Development Centre at Anna nagar and even participated in our trustees meeting to help us find our way in those early years.

You communicated a sense of thoughtfulness towards others. This was special to me. Every time I met you wanted to know how we were getting along in our work at ASHIRVAD. You knew the demands placed on us by having to listen to families who were going through pain and grief. You sensitively enquired about our wellness and in one sense that in itself was a debriefing experience for Anna and myself.

I was helped by your wide range rof eading habits, writing skills, and musical skills, composing songs, etc. Your journalistic insights gave a new direction for the New Leader, which was one of my favourite monthlies that I depend on for my spiritual nurture. In fact I was helped to see the value of communication in the way you used communication skills in your presentations and writing. Your editorials were both reflective and educative.

Our time of 15 years at Chennai were formative years for Anna and myself in understanding our vocation. I do not think we would have stayed on, in the way we have done for the last thirty seven years in being engaged with children and families  who have had to face disability in their lives, but for some friends like you, who offered support and encouragement to stay on in this vocation.

Thank you Fr Joe for your friendship and ministry to us in different ways.

After retiring from CMC vellore, both of us work in  a Medical college at Kolenchery where I was given another opportunity to start a work for children with special needs. The department we got started at CMC has done well. The work at St Andrew’s church, Chennai  and the Early Learning Centre at Nagpur have flourished and go on supported by the local friends of ASHIRVAD.

Our older son Arpit and family work in  mission hospital at Madhepura, Bihar. Our younger son Anandit and family work at CMC Vellore. We have been blessed with four grand children.

Anna and I keep well and live in  village close by to our work place.

Thank you Fr. Joe for all that you brought to our lives and becoming a blessing to us.

We send you our greetings and love and wish you wellness, health and contentment in your calling!

M.C.Mathew    

Biography-22 : People I want to remember-8

Fr. Joe Mannath, former professor at the department of Christianity at Madras University, is an author, retreat leader, mentor and a leader with many responsibilities and world-wide ministry as a  conference speaker. He now lives in New Delhi and publishes a magazine. Anna and I keep in touch with him because he is caring and inspiring. 

Dear .Fr Joe,

Greetings. 

I think I met you in your office at the University of Madras for the first time probably in 1988, at a time when I was looking for spiritual direction. Meeting you and Fr.Tom were special for Anna and myself. Your warm, friendly and caring approach touched me right at the first instance itself. You listened to my biography and journey of life with considerable interest and offered to give us time as and when we needed. I have a feeling that I was introduced to you by Re. Fr Joe Antony whom I met at the school meetings where we jointly conducted meetings for parents. 

You offered to meet with us at the retreat centre which Fr Tom was establishing at that time. Our meetings once in two months or so for a unhurried time in fellowship, prayer, listening to each other and receiving your insights were most crucial for both Anna and myself at a time when we felt burdened by the demands which came upon us in our involvement with ASHIRVAD. We felt lonely and directionless sometimes, as we got involved with children having different developmental needs. 

You cared to keep in touch with Annaa nd myself, visited our home, shared meals with us and took an interest in our children and our family life. I remember coming to listen to your homilies given during the Holy mass at Perambur and other places because we needed spiritual nourishment for ourselves. 

Although I wanted to join for the Mphil course in Christianity which you were guiding at the university, I could not do it as I had already registered for a PhD programme in Neurology at that time. I have some regrets for it now. However, the suggestions you gave for developing my reading habits helped me immensely.

You have an immense regard for others and see the good in others. This was an affirming experience for me. You view life with openness towards God and others! I remember occasions in our conversations when you recognised the pain we carried within us on account of the pressures that came upon us due to lack of planned debriefing! You not only provided the debriefing opportunities but also gave us pastoral counselling and nurture. 

Your sense of humour and light heartedness was refreshing. You welcomed experiences as a learning journey. Some of the experiences you shared with us helped us to know more about ourselves and our situations. 

We found in you a person of immense availability. We could just telephone you and access time with you. We remember cming to meet you at Poonnamalle seminary, Egmore, and other places. For about ten years when we were in Chennai, your mentoring role in our lives anchored us and protected us from burn out. 

When we relocated ourselves at Vellore we missed meeting with you. You by then had moved to Bangalore.   

I remember one occasion, when you welcomed one of our good friends, Dr Hand Burki for fellowship and a meal, during which time,  the conversation was about ‘pastoral calling’. That is when I realised that the work with children and families who go through grief and stress needed not only a professional approach but also pastoral care. That was a turning point in my life.

Dear Fr Joe, you were God sent into our lives at a time, when we were lonely and needed spiritual accompaniment. You provided that with love, affirmation and understanding. 

I feel grateful for your sensitive ministry into my life during the formative period of my persoanla nd professioanl life.

Let me wish you wellness, health and wellbeing. 

It was a joy to meet you last year during your visit to kerala.

with much regards,

M.C.Mathew     

Biography-22: People I want to remember- 7

Drs. Abraham Jospeh and Sulochana Abraham, former professors and heads of department of Community Medicine at CMC Vellore are people whom Anna and I have admired as role models. Their friendships and caring ways have touched us.

Dear sir and ma’m,

Greetings.

Sir, my first meeting with you was during the council meetings which I used to attend from 1983. After Dr V Benjamin retired, there was a new direction which CHAD took under your leadership. You enlarged the mission of CHAD. I remember the presentations you made to the CMC council about CHTC and upgrading the facility of the hospital.  The new direction was well received by the council. What I recall about your presentations and leading the discussion was the clarity you brought in in the listener’s ears. You looked beyond the immediate. I was just embarking at that time on the journey of setting up ASHIRVAD Child Development Centre at Chennai. Your analytical and logical thinking influenced me to look at the opportunities  and use them to our advantage.

You were gifted in net working. While others talked about net working, you were far ahead in doing it effectively with others in India and overseas. The Danish government supporting the CHTC was an example of this. I felt inspired by this model you presented through your multiple initiatives at CHAD.

I remember having a personal conversation with you once, when you were the vice-prinicapal of CMC Vellore. You elaborated on your dream of developing a net work of Christian Medical Colleges. You made it happen. You even envisioned collaboration of the South Asian Christian Medical Colleges.  You have a passion to collaborate with others because you believe in others and value them. I have seen this as your relational style and I have immensely benefitted from this example.

When I joined CMC in 1997, I was keen to get to know the senior faculty to learn about the history, ethos, heritage and traditions of CMC in order to become part of the institution as I was a non-alumnus of CMC. In that context I remember having a hour long recorded interview with both of you when you elaborated on your student days at the hostels and the many good traditions which have been part of the college life.  The long conversation traversed through some of the exciting experiences both of you have had and some difficult experiences along the way. You sounded grateful for what you received and conveyed readiness to accept what was not possible. It was during that conversation I got to know the wide spectrum of activities you both have been responsible for or initiate and sustain at CHAD. The story of how you equipped women masons still stays with me. The residential programme in the community for the students in the first year was one of the impressive pioneering efforts, about which you spoke most passionately. Listening to you talk about work, family life, community life, the mission CMC, etc broadened my understanding of the culture at CMC .

I was most encouraged by the reference to the Student Christian movement  and all that you contributed to its vibrant role in the life of students.

It was when I got to know Priya and Vinod I realised even more the way you lived and worked at CMC leaving an outstanding inspirational example to both of them. It is more than just coincidental that Vinod chose your specialty.

I watched you breathe in a new life to the Karigiri hospital. Although it did not take the turn that you envisioned, I know for sure that it was an opportunity that others did not pursue well enough. But you compensated for it all when you went to Dimapur.  Although you inspired me to be associated with it, I had my constraints. But the several conversation we had on this matter gave me a sense of the strategist that you are when you are in a leadership role. A visit during your time to Dimapur gave me a feeling of the effectiveness of your leadership by creating a culture of enabling and empowering. Even when you had some resistance from some people, you patiently endured it and when the time had come, you left it in safe hands only to return to Vellore to begin with the Chitoor project. I know that you were keen for our son Arpit to come to Chittoor. When that did not happen, you seemed to accept it graciously!

Sir, your mission of service, leading by example and bringing cohesiveness in difficult circumstances inspire me a lot.

Every time I had an occasion to meet you, you left me encouraged and affirmed. During the recent months when I was through a difficult experience with CMC council, I could reach out to you to get a sense of your thoughts and inisghts.

I am grateful to both of you for valuing me as a friend and sharing yourselves and your experiences. You have been a special family in our lives! Anna joins me in expressing her immense gratitude for your friendship.

M.C.Mathew

Biography-22: People I want to remember-6

Drs. Vinod and Priya Abraham, live at CMC  Vellore. They are friends who have been caring and thoughtful towards Anna and me.

Dear Vinod

I want to share briefly how you brought much encouragement to me on different occasions.

Although I did not have many prolonged conversations with you at any time, it is the brief contacts which left with me some deep impressions about your inner goodness.

The earliest one I can recall is what I heard from you about your involvement with the senior citizens in the community at the villages around Bhagayam. That was about fofteen years ago. I was  pleased to sense your compassionate attitude towards senior citizens. The plan and programme you envisaged was indeed original. Although you have had difficulties along the way, you kept that as a mission. I felt enthused by it because it involved taking care of the most disadvantaged in the community.

The second was about what Priya had to go through while seeking for a place at CMC in the dermatology department. There were many difficulties one after the other. You showed considerable resilience and patience in those most difficult circumstances. Although I do not know the details, from the little I know of it,  I was moved to discover your willingness to endure difficulties although you deserved something better

Another instance was when Sarah was made in charge of the LICU, without due process. That was a difficult time for the department and each of you was affected by it. In one conversation, although you expressed your serious concern for the way it was done, I sensed your willingness to overlook it for the larger interest of the institution…. I do not have many examples of this type from what I know of.

As both of your parents were senior faculty members in the same department, people used that to make adverse remarks about you.  I know of some instances  when it had hurt you.

I know from reliable sources that you made a difference in the registrar’s office during your term there. You continue to do that during your involvement in the Alumni office. This was also associated with some controversy related to the former director. You showed a spirit of steadfastness in that situation.

I have often wondered why you were not chosen for more responsibilities in the institution. You deserved lot more than what you have been given in the leadership roles.

I valued your friendship and trust. Even during the recent difficult times I have had to face, you showed concern and understanding in an unusual way. You were a valuable sounding board on different occasions and gave me insights that helped me in the choices I have to make.

I was enriched by your spiritual openness and the godly home you have created as a testimony to others.

Certainly you and Priya have touched me in  a personal way. It was during the retreats, pilgrimage for fellowship, I got to know you personally. I have refreshing memories of conversations and fellowship times that we shared together at that time.

You have touched me in different ways… thank you and you shall remain in my thoughts!

M.C.Mathew

Biography-22 : People I want to remember-5

Dr John Oommen and Mercy Oommen work at the Christian Hospital at Bissamcuttack. Johny is the Vice-Chairman of CMC Vellore council and Mercy is the editor of the Christian Medical Journal, published by CMAI.

late Rev. A.C.Oommen was the head of Chaplaincy at CMC Vellore. After his retirement he spent time with the CMAI, developing the Chaplaincy department of CMAI.

Anna and I have had close association with these friends for several years. 

Dear Johny and Mercy,

I have felt an urge to write to all friends who have touched my life in some tangible way since my post graduate training days. I want to use the lenten season to do so to grow in the experience of gratitude. I look forward to this exercise of recollecting joyfully the experiences with friends, who have ministered to me! Incidentally this year is a landmark year for me when I turn to be seventy!  

I want to write in part one, how both of you have touched my life. In part two of THIS letter, I like to share how achen Oommen touched our lives!

PART 1

I think I met Johny for the first time when you were a student. On a few occasions, I met you during those days, I was encouraged by your enthusiasm, value based approach to life and living and interest in reaching out to others. I remember hearing from you about going to ulcer ward in a group on Sunday afternoons and the benefits it brought to you. You were preparing yourselves for your vocation by continuing the practice to visit Rehabilitation institute regularly. You kept close contact with Dr. Mary Varghese and inspired us with your stories of meetings with her. 

Anna and I along with Arpit came for your class retreats and the final year retreat. That is when I felt even more encouraged by your vision of life, by preparing yourself  a new ground of understanding of being a disciple of Jesus in health care. In fact you entertained Arpit by playing with him and singing to him, which still remains as a pleasant memory of your skills in relating to adults and children alike. You spent a year at Bissamcuttack during your sponsorship obligation, which you referred to as a defining experience in understanding your call. In one conversation, I vividly remember you mention about life in the tribal areas inviting you to live among them and experience the joy of ministering to them and feel ministered by them.  When you were involved at the Rehabilitation Institute videoing and making storyline about the different aspects  of experiences of those affected by physical limitations, I met you once and asked you a question about, what is the gain from this experience, to which you responded by saying, that you are discovering more of yourselves, while you listening to them’. I knew since them that you were on a unchartered course to define a new understanding of health care, where the service we render to others would touch us and give a new understanding of our life, calling and living. 

During your training in community health, I remember listening to you in meetings and felt persuaded in my heart about the value we need to offer for the opinions and aspirations of people who are disadvantaged, while  reaching out to them. It is not what we feel about their need which is is decisive, but knowing them by being with them. You often quoted the example of Mother Brand to illustrate this. As I was not well versed with the history of CMC and how thought lines emerged over the years, the snippets I picked up by listening to you and some others helped me to get familiar with the history of mission of CMC. It is a history of different strands making a mosaic of significance and a unique way of integrating life and work.

I had occasions to meet with you during the CMAI meetings. During the few visits Anna and I made when Anandit and Aswathy were working at Bissamcuttack, I received considerable insights the way you and Mercy were making earnest efforts to make a difference in the lives of others.  Listening to the story of the school, the nursing education, and the development of services at the base hospital gave me a feeling that ‘others  determined your agenda of action'. When I heard that the Tatas gave you a free hand in using their resources to design and develop programme with no strings attached, I felt the genuine trust you earned beyond your own family and circle of friends. You did make a significant contribution in developing the state sponsored public health initiatives whether it be TB or Malaria.

Every time, I heard you speak at the CMC council or other meetings at Vellore, you brought a new understanding about the way we ought to look at our role and relevance.  I remember hearing you at the international consultations. of CMC. I felt that you were challenging the institution to move on into an enabling role rather than only consolidating at Vellore. Your analysis of the alumni of CMC and where they work or what they do was a revealing message to me about the need to make the educational process at CMC more relevant to the challenges we face in India in health care. 

The number of things you are connected with has been a story by itself. Your decision to travel with your father and spend several months listening to him and make notes of his conversations and talks to create a biography of his mission was an outstanding contribution that a son could do for his father. I met with you while you were on that travel mission. I had an opportunity to meet Achen also at the same time. Achen did tell me that , ‘ Johny is giving me energy to travel and meet people’. I felt terrible that I was not able to be present to say farewell to Achen when his home call took him away from us.

It is true that I did not stay in touch with you although I wanted to. The letter you wrote to the mission of Anil Henry which you copied to me was one of the recent instances of being in touch with you.  That letter would move anyone because it was a message from your heart about the way you looked at the opportunity at Mungeli.       

Thank you Johny and Mercy for what you are. It is such an encouragement to know that Mercy is the editor of CMJI. I do not know of any instance when a husband and wife occupied that role anytime in the past. 

You bring a new meaning to life and living in the way you followed Jesus of Nazareth. I have been blessed by what you are and what you do. You both had a formative contribution to my life and the way it has evolved! You speak from your heart and show some of us truths that we otherwise would have missed. 

I write this because I wanted to tell you that You have been a blessing to Anna and myself.

M.C.Mathew

PART 2.

I want to share some insights about Achen Oommen which brought a transforming experience in my life. 

When Anna and I joined CMC Vellore in 1980, Achen Oommen called us for a conversation in his office and told us that we need to associate with EU and help students in their spiritual journey.  He said that the SCM had the support of some faculty who were already helping, but the EU needed  a few more faculty. That was most unusual for a chaplain to have mentioned it when he himself was more associated with the SCM. That first meeting with him made me realise that his spirituality transcended any personal interests. He had the interests of others in his heart.

It was during the home call of our daughter, Anita, in 1982, Anna and I got to know Achen in a personal way. He conducted the funeral service during which he mentioned, that ‘Anita is not with us anymore. But she came and went away leaving a message with us. Anna and MC would be guided to discover that in due course. Let us be in prayer for them' . It was a prophetic word to our hearts lifting our spirit from the valley of sorrow we had slipped into! Her home call came following a traumatic experience at her birth when the treating doctors hesitated to do exchange transfusions for her hyperbilirubinemia because she had a developmental disorder. Th same attitude was evident when she was subsequently admitted with chest infection. In fact Achen and the Dr and Mrs Dr Pulimood were most helpful to convey our longing for her to be treated even if the outcome was not promising. Achen kept in touch with us during this period to comfort, guide and encourage. Just before we decided to leave CMC in 1982 to take a year to consider the ‘message of Anita’s presence and absence', he came home to meet with us and suggested that we keep in touch. He was warm and affectionate which is still fresh in our minds.

Another aspect that touched me about Achen was about his generosity towards others and their spiritual leaning. Having been closely associated with CMAI, Achen was open to discuss matters of EMFI in  a generous and hospital way, when he discovered that I was the founding general secretary of the EMFI. I remember some of the conversations just before we left CMC. He had sensed that I had a leaning to become full time with the EMFI at that time. He did say that there might be a more appropriate way than that for me to respond to the arrival and departure of Anita. I am grateful for that caution, which is what made us to take a year off and discern the way forward. So Anna and I are grateful that this discerning process that Achen challenged us to go through, helped us to find the expression of our vocation in and through ASHIRVAD.

I kept in touch with Achen through letters and when we informed him that we were getting ready to start a trust, ASHIRVAD to foster some initiatives for children with developmental needs, he replied with warm enthusiasm. He visited us at Chennai and kept enquiring about the progress we were making. He was by then with CMAI. In fact he along with Daleep, Dr. Tharien and Dr. Zac visited us once to hear our  story when they were looking at the opportunity for christian presence in health care in India.

During one of my visits to CMC, when Achen was staying with Suranjan and Sarah, I interviewed him on faith and healing. I used to come for some meetings which he and Dr. Zac organised to explore this theme. It was during that interview I discovered how deeply Achen had explored the theme from various perspectives. His outlook was fresh. One aspect which inspired me was his reference to, health with ‘ wholistic’ and ‘ holistic’ dimensions. In fact his one page article which appeared on this subsequently was an article which I used every year for the final year Bible study at CMC for ten years, when I was asked to lead it from 1998 till I retired. During my involvement with developmentally challenged children, I was explored to exercise this understanding of the dual dimensions in a practical way.   

I had other opportunities to meet Achen at ODC, Vellore and also in meetings. Every time I met with him it was like a continuation of conversation since we met last time. He was  articulate and precise. Referring to my background of having been involved in different organisations, he suggested to me that, I ought to take forward what Dr. Tharien left behind in his mission for ‘Peace and Reconciliation’. Although Dr.Tharien had told me this a few times before his home call, I was slow in considering that. When Achen told me, I got further encouraged to equip myself. In fact I pursued a training programme in Alternate Dispute Resolution in order to be available if I am called upon to be in such a situation. I am grateful to Achen for giving me an indication of what is a missing component in christian service- fellowship and reconciliation. 

However, looking back over what happened during my recent involvement in the CMC Council, I realise that I was least effective in my role of reconciliation. I have regrets and sorrow on account of this. However, I also, remember, Achen telling me that reconciliation is a vision and disappointments are not to be taken as a reason to give up! A senior Bishop whom I met recently while talking about the denominational conflicts that exist, mentioned to me that, ‘ when Achen Oommen and Dr Tharien were around, they encouraged dialogue’! That was another testimony to Achen’s mission in life. 

Achen remembered Arpit and would ask me often about him. That was an indication how mindfully he lived remembering people whom he would not often meet. 

Achen communicated to me on some occasions about the deep impact kochemma had on his life! He talked about occasions when he was able to sing to her when she was unwell, which brought consolation to her! 

His vision for his children  and families was one of blessing them to ‘ go their way’ in response to God’s call. He had double bereavement- his wife and daughter. Referring to that once he told me, that the 'pain of separation is permanent, but the memory of their joyful presence in  our memory is also permanent’.     

He loved his grandchildren. He commented about it once, saying 'enjoy them and bless them. Let all the remaining be done by the parents.’ I carry that as a mission for myself as Anna and I relate to 4 grandchildren.  

Achen to me was a mentor in my human formation. He was in a similar role to many. Whether it was the SCM work camps, or a sermon at the chapel, he brought fullness into everything he was called to do. I remember some faculty at CMC mentioning to me that they would get a call or a visit if any one was regularly missed in the Sunday evening chapel service. Dr. LBM Joseph, director of CMC once told me that after the strike was over, the community would have disintegrated, had it not been for Achen who  took the role of being a reconciler. That was the beginning of the faculty retreats in CMC. Dr P Zac mentioned to me about Achen, ‘as one who brought faith and action in convergence’. In fact it was Achen who encouraged the senior faculty to meet in Dr Scuddr’s room in the auditorium after the chapel service on Sundays for fellowship! It was symbolic. He knew that at the leadership level there was a need for togetherness.

I felt that Achen during his life time demonstrated a new frontier in healing by promoting partnership between health care team, patients and their families. He promoted a vision for the church to be healing communities. 

Achen was ahead of his time in thought and in Biblical narration on contemporary issues. 

I am grateful for hours of conversation with him for which he found time! He spoke truth as no one else spoke. I have been a beneficiary of his self giving. I am grateful!

M.C.Mathew

Biography-22: People I want to remember-4

Dr Kuruvella Varkey, physician at the Christian Fellowship Hospital is a well known person for his clinical skills, communication skills, and leadership skills.

Dear Dr Kuruvella,

Greetings

In preparation for the seventieth year in my life, I felt an urge within me to express my gratitude to some people who have touched my life in a tangible way. I do this during the lenten season to grow in gratitude. You both have ministered to me in different ways.

The first recollection I have of you, Dr Kuruvella is that of a clinical diagnosis you offered to a child who had purpuric spots, whom I brought to your OP area, while I was working as a junior doctor in 1976 at CFH ODC. The clinical condition of Henoch Schonlien Purpura that you diagnosed, stimulated me to take a greater interest in Paediatrics. Your patient and thoughtful clinical demonstration and explanation helped me to understand the importance of clinical examination.

During the first spell of my stay of few months at ODC at that time,   you welcomed Anna and myself on a few occasionsto your home in the evening for conversation and dinner. Your journey in faith and decision to belong to the fellowship at ODC became a moving story for us to dwell upon in the later years.

We returned to stay at ODC in 1982 for a year while we were waiting to discern the message of our daughter Anita’s arrival and departure! It was during that time we have had more conversations about us staying on at ODC to start a child development centre at CFH. As I was also associated with EMFI at that time, you encouraged me to set up the office of EMFI at CFH for which you offered office space and even secretarial help! I was touched by your generosity. You spent time to introduce to us the prospect of becoming part of the fellowship and support CFH in its focus on cross cultural mission. 

Although, we relocated at Chennai by Nov. 1983, your friendship and kindness were not interrupted.

The third  instance of meaningful engagement was when you were associated with us in the board of ASHIRVAD. There were some decisions of significance which we were able to make during your season of involvement. The decision to start a play school at St Andrew’s church was historic as it grew into  a regular special school supported by the church offering services to about 75 developmentally challenged children. The second decision was to start an Early Learning Centre in Nagpur which is now located in a three storied custom made building, catering to the needs of developmentally challenged children and their families offering a wholistic service. It is now a thriving centre of excellence. To have been able to take these two decisions, at a time when we did not have any promises for financial backing was possible, because you infused confidence in us to trust God and move on! We feel grateful for your transforming presence int board of ASHIRVAD.

Ou lives crossed many times in the intervening years and our common journey in the Life Revision Seminars with Hans and Ago gave us opportunity to stay in fellowship with you. Your devout and serious engagement in the purpose of God was manifest in your life, calling and relationships. I watched your soberness and discerned it as an authentic experience of inwardness and intimacy with God.  This was an encouragement in my search for inner reality.

I remember that I followed you in the boards of management at Asha kIiran, EHA, EMFI and CMC, Vellore. Looking back, I have some treasures of insight from what I heard from others of your style of leading discussions and facilitating decisions. You listened to discern and chose the middle path as much as possible when opinions were divided and facilitated harmony and consensus. These valuable traditions you have left behind were original contributions which you made in defining the governance model in christian organisations. Although I have a sense of having messed up my involvement with CMC in the last four years, I am grateful for the example you left for others to follow, by showing the process suitable for conducting  governing board meetings. I am immensely grateful for your example.

During the time Suni was studying in Chennai we had an opportunity to get a glimpse of your family life! Although you quote Kochemma of having said once, that ‘You live in the ward and take rounds at home’, our impression of your family life is one of you leading by serving others at home. You brought the essentials of christian spirituality to the centre of your home and created a godly home. Anna and I have felt inspired by the way Kochemma has been an anchor to the family in  a self giving way.

Every time I have had an opportunity to meet with you in the recent years, I felt a warmth of concern and felt an encouraged for  which I am grateful.

I recall that we had some difficulties between us, on account of some misunderstanding while you chaired the CMC council. You reached out to me to bring a closure to that. I did not continue as an advisor of the CFH as I felt that I was making some fellowship members uncomfortable with my approach to the future mission of CFH. Even in that context you freed me from any obligation to stay on. I felt overwhelmed by your generous spirit towards me.

As I look back over the last thirty five years since I met you first, I have grown in appreciation and admiration  for your sense of vocation, by how you live, care, communicate and mentor  others.

Thank you for the space you offered to me in your life and for sowing seeds of kindness in my heart1

I am also grateful to you for the hospitality you offered to me at your home on several occasions and the fellowship through conversations.

You lit a lamp in my soul and it was a significant one,

with regards, good wishes and greetings for health, wellness and fullness of life,

M.C.Mathew   

Biography-22: People I want to remember-3

Dr V.I.Mathan, former professor of Gastro-enterology and Director of Christian Medical college Vellore is  a special person whom I have known for about thirty five years. There were many associations with him which nurtured and enlarged my life. The recent association of knowing him when I was the chairman of the CMC Vellore council was significant in more than one way.

Dear sir,

Greetings.

I have turned seventy now. As a part of recollecting my life, I have decided to write to about 200 friends who influenced, impacted or mentored me in the last forty five years, since my post graduate training. I write one to two letters each day to reach out to all in my list so that I can complete it before June 2019.

You are one of those special persons. So I write this letter to share briefly how You have contributed to my life. Let me recollect a few instances to share my sense of gratitude I have for you and M’am.

1. The earliest experience that  I recall is when I was put in a committee by the CMC council along with you and Dr K.C. Mammen to evolve a policy on Medical Termination of pregnancy at CMC Vellore. It was 1985 if I remember correctly, when Dr LBM was the director. He had read the manuscript which was ready for my book, ‘Let me live-an alternative to abortion’. It was during the couple of meetings with you and Dr Mammen, I realised how resourcefull you were as a thinker, planner and envisioner. Although I had gone overseas before the final recommendations on the MTP at CMC was submitted to the council, I remember hearing from you about the thoughts that had converged towards a proposal. I still recall that as having had a seminal influence on me to be highly appreciative of your wide ranging skills, particularly clarity in thought and expression. I benefitted a lot by listening to you in the council meetings- your analytical and logical thinking stand out in my memory when I recall conversations with you.

2. The second was a difficult experience, which was perhaps in 1987 or so. While discussing the opportunities for CMC for the future in a council meeting, I had  suggested forming a department of clinical ethics in the institution in the way St John’s Medical College had established, with definite curricular training programme in bio-ethics. You vehemently opposed it although some others did support the idea for CMC to consider. You argued against it by saying, that ‘ethics is caught rather than taught’. But after the meeting, you came to me and talked to me personally. You listened to me as to why I was proposing this for CMC. There was a need to have a protestant institution taking a lead to define clinical ethical issues, as until then it was predominantly the catholic priests who had taken the initiative to discuss ethical issues. I remember that personal conversation because I saw in you an openness to listen and consider even if you had another view point. I saw that as a good example of a noble practice- one might differ in opinion, but always value the person. Sir, I have seen this in you all the time!  You excel in giving due honour to others when they deserve it.

3. Another instance couple of years later in the council meeting- There was a discussion about providing residential accommodation for post graduates in the campus. This came up while the budget was being discussed. I had heard from Dr Punnoose Mathew that morning how his son who had to live outside the campus while doing his post graduate training, dId not get to see his wife and child for 72 hours or more sometimes! The way Dr Punnoose told me tearfully moved me and I raised in the floor of the council a discussion to set part some money yearly towards post graduate accommodation in the college or hospital campus. Although you initially hesitated due to other compulsions and financial constraints, you invited me to your office in the after noon of the second day of the council to listen to me about my thoughts on the PG accommodation. If I remember correctly you were the MS at that time. I was touched by your generosity with your time. It was a two hour long meeting. You mentioned to me at the end of the conversation that you would bring some proposal to the next council and a report on the number of houses needed for post graduates. I valued your willingness to invite me to your office on your own initiative and look at the issue from the need of the families and for the institution to be known for its family friendly policy. This is yet another aspect of your magnanimity- you see the larger picture and look for ideas to pursue the larger picture. You can see miles ahead and value any put to strengthen that journey.

I must say this to complement you even more.  When the post graduate accommodation at the hospital campus was inaugurated in 1997, I was present on the occasion. You turned to me and said, that ‘it was MC who put this thought to us during the council meeting’. I was embarrassed, but your gesture to make a reference to it touched me deeply. I saw how lavish you were towards others in recognising them. It stays with me as a a gesture of your kindness.

4. The next was an accidental meeting with considerable significance. I was waiting at the toll gate cemetery at Vellore on a Thursday morning in Jan1993, to catch a bus to go to the Scudder auditorium to attend the council meeting. You stopped your fiat car seeing me, and invited me to accompany you to the college campus. You enquired from me as to why I was waiting at the toll gate bus stip. That is when I shared briefly about our daughter who was buried there and the child development work I was involved with ASHIRVAD at Chennai. You had heard from Dr Pulimood who was the director then, about some conversations to invite me back to CMC, which was inconclusive. Mr Thomas Abraham who became the council chairman used to visit ASHIRVAD at Chennai, who probably would have told you about what we were doing at Chennai. I knew that Dr William Cutting also had mentioned to you when you took over as the director about the value of a Developmental paediatrics Unit at CMC. During the council meetings you cared to get to know me more and about what we were engaged in at ASHIRVAD. A year into your term as the director you formally invited ASHIRVAD to establish the Developmental paediatrics Unit at CMC by incorporating the Child development centre of ASHIRVAD at Chennai. It was that invitation following many meetings with you, which led to the signing of the MOU after receiving approval from the council in 1997. That is how we started the developmental paediatrics in CMC in Feb 1997. The developmental paediatrics unit became one among the five new departments you fostered to establish, in connection with the centenary of CMC hospital.

Sir, the specialty of developmental Paediatrics in India is a testimony to your vision. The developmental Paediatrics department in CMC was the first such facility in any Medical college in India, which became the first centre to offer higher specialty fellowship programme and PhD in Developmental Paediatrics.

You were the midwife to give birth to this academic specialty in India.

I knew after joining CMC that here was resistance from your own administration to invite me to the faculty and give weightage to my experience….. but you withstood all of that and gave an encouragement to me to bring this specialty to CMC.

Sir, yours was a noble act. What you did is history! Among many other  more important initiatives you fostered,  this one for helping the developmentally challenged children would be well remembered as something unique, in the years to come. You had the insight and foresight to take a risky decision at that time against the opinions of your administrative colleagues!

It is yet another aspect of your leadership- take defining decisions and allow the outcome to justify your decision!

I remain grateful for your seminal contribution to  the specialty of Developmental Paediatrics in India.

Jesus said, 'In as much as you did it for the least.. you have done it unto me..'’ This is a legacy of spiritual significance that you leave behind.

5. Let me recall another experience during 2006 admission related stress in CMC. Your relationship was strained with Dr LBM, and both of you expressed a desire to me if both of you could meet and talk over matters. I remember your initial reluctance, but you met with Dr LBM to create ambience of consultation. Although that did not help much in resolving matters, I recall this as another illustration of your willingness to negotiate to find a way forward in difficult circumstance. I felt for both of you as I kept listening to both of you because both of you were closest friends or companions at one time. During several conversations I have had with you at that time, I became conscious of the openness and friendliness you carry in your heart which many people fail to recognise about you.

Another experience which brought a similar sentiment in my heart towards you and m’am was when you gave me an interview of your life and work in CMC from the time you were students. Th interview was an exercise I undertook with about thirty faculty of CMC in 1998 to become familiar with the story of CMC. Having joined the faculty in 1997, I needed to get an overview of the story of CMC.  It was during the interview, I came to realise how much you were part of the formative process of the administrative processes in CMC. You were an architect to make your department world class; you set in motion processes and governance guidelines for CMC; you critically and cleverly led the affairs of CMC as the MS, council secretary and also as the director. It was during your term of office you brought the culture of compassionate technology and gave a thrust to move CMC into a new centenary of excellence in service.  I am familiar with  your skills of discernment and capacity to offer wise counsel.

6. During the four years when I was recently involved with the CMC council, there were some occasions when we exchanged letters and spoke on phone and met with each other. There were differences between us on some matters. You were particular that the chairman followed the governance policies laid out in the constitution. The season was a turbulent time for CMC with many complex matters facing the institution.

When I was 'attacked' and a hate campaign was initiated against me, you reached out to me with several letters to encourage, affirm and support. Although I stepped down when it was beginning to affect my health, although  you wanted me to continue, I felt that you were able to appreciate my helplessness.

I  REAMIN GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CARE DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME IN MY LIFE, WHEN THE PEOPLE WHOM I trusted and mentored lost trust in me…

You have been a comforting companion during this season of several losses personally.

So sir, let me conclude. It is a history of about thirty five years I summarised in appreciation of all that you mean to me.

May you remain well and be enabled to continue to be a support to others in need.

As for me you have left with me some values and insights which have formed my understanding and thinking!

Than you sir and Ma’am,

M.C.Mathew 

Biography-22 : People I want to remember-2

Dr Suseel Tharien, consultant psychiatrist at the Christian Fellowship Hospital, Oddanchatram, and the chairman of the Association of Christian Counsellors, is someone whom I met in 1966 when he and I were students at Nagpur.

Dear  Suseel, 

Greetings.                                                                             

I am in the process of remembering friends who have blessed me in some way or other, since my medical school days. I do this as my way of thanking people in grateful remembrance in connection with my seventieth birthday.

I first met you and Dr AK Tharien when you came to SFS College, Nagpur in 1966. Meeting your father, whom I had heard a lot about by then, was a privilege and a turning point in my life. The one-year of contact with you at Nagpur and the later years of contacts after that, are full of pleasant memories. It was from you I got to know about the way all of you lived at CFH ODC at that time in a relational way, sharing a common purse without taking a regular salary. That was different from what was the practice at that time. I was fascinated by the stories you shared with me about the life of children in the hospital campus, where you ‘belonged to all the families’ and not just to your natural family alone!

Your invitation to me to visit CFH during a holiday was a formative experience for me. You gave me an opportunity to stay with you in your home and took me around to different places and introduced me to different people, who impressed me immensely by their attitude to life and work. It was your father who came to receive us in the ODC railway station in an Ambassodor car and took us to your home. Meeting your mother was refreshing. Her gentle and charming ways, hospitality and thoughtfulness impressed me. I sensed that she was a link with many families and domestic workers in the campus and created a culture of mutuality and fellowship between people. 

Although you moved to CMC Vellore for your undergraduate studies, you cared to stay in touch. I kept some of the inland letters I received from you, which even today bring pleasant memories of all that was common between some of us- the vocation of students and doctors in medicine. That was the time when Dr Garlick was facilitating our formative thinking of living with a vocation. I remember a visit from you and Isaac Jebraj when I was doing my house surgency. That was an inspiring occasion. We had plenty of time to listen to each other and connect with the lives of common friends and think together about the future of staying in touch with medical students and doctors. What bonded us then was also some common friends, Geetha Gnanaolive, Prasanna Elias and few others, whom we met during visits or meetings. 

The Periyakulum work camp was an important occasion for several reasons. That was when some of us had an opportunity to live and share some common concerns. Listening to Dr Garlick and Dr Sheela Gupta was the highlight of the occasion. To me that gave me the grounding for all that followed in my personal life. Dr Garlick talking from the passage from Isaiah, ‘enlarge.. stretch forth..lengtehn..’ somehow gripped me. In fact, the inspiration to move out of mainline paediatrics to be engaged with children with special needs came from many voices… but the messages of the work camp too had their impact in my decision making process! Dr Sheela spoke from her insights of the pilgrim fathers of the Old Testament! It planted in my heart an enquiring attitude about the lives of other men and women of God in the Bible! Most of the clarification happened during informal conversations during the in between times of the meetings. Of course it was also the time that I met Anna, which was helpful when the suggestions came to me from you and few others about considering her as my life partner!

I refer to this occasion in my recollection of you to highlight that this work camp increased my desire to stay in touch with friends on a regular basis. 

I remember vividly that you were my main contact person to have conversations and communications about Anna while I was preparing to make a decision. You helped in a magnificent way with clarity, emotional support and accompaniment. I remember writing several letters during this time, which you considered seriously and responded with a lot of openness. Thank you Suseel for your caring and affirming attitude during such a significant season in my life.

Thank you for coming for our marriage and remembering us in a special way even after that. Although our contacts became infrequent after that, the occasions when we met were occasions for fellowship.

When you moved on to do your post-graduate training in Psychiatry, you too had some challenges. I remember having conversations with you on a few occasions during that time. You had a sense of purpose and the difficulties you faced from one or two faculty did not deter you or discourage you! Your resilience and confidence to face the adverse situations were truly the reasons why you became most effective as a psychiatrist and counsellor during the later years. I admire you for turning the difficulties into a formative experience, which made you to be a caring and considerate person during your long years as a professional and administrator. 

During the one-year Anna and I spent at CFH ODC in 1982, we had opportunities for conversation and sharing of ideas. It was during that time you were moving forward to offer rehabilitative service to patients who had longstanding history of mental illness. Your patience with them and the long hours you were ready to invest, brought a new understanding of the ethos you carried with you as a praying and caring psychiatrist.

You made an effort to persuade us to stay located at CFH and pursue developing services for children with developmental needs in CFH. When we felt disinclined, you were still open to support our initiative. You even explored whether we could be associate members of the Christian Fellowship living and working elsewhere.

Our contacts with you declined since we left CFH in 1983, but during my monthly visits for two years to help in Paediatrics, we have had opportunities to converse on matters that were dear to us. I sensed that you were moving to explore the role of counselling as an adjunct therapy for patients with psychosis and depression. That seems to have been the right direction since you were able to provide leadership to Christian counselling through the national organization. 

I have watched you as an administrator and as a strong advocate of the mission of the Christian Fellowship. You inspired younger doctors to join the fellowship, which assured continuity for the future. 

I feel good to have known Valsa as Ommechan’s sister and for having had some contacts with Deepa. Both of you invested a lot in Deepa and her family because of which they too carry a missionary vocation in ther lives. 

The influence of your parents in my life from my student days  was immense. They gave me a perspective to esteem and regard others in the practice of medicine. I intend to dwell on this separately in my biography, which appears in the photo-blog I write.

Although life took me through twists, turns, detours and slippery paths, I carry within me a joyful recollection of all that life brought to me.

The friendships of early years, from my student days, form one large part of the memory of jubilation that I live with currently. 

Life is an opportunity to live mindful of others as ‘neighbours’. I pursued it as a calling, and I shall continue to do so, as much as possible. 

Thank you for your friendship and regards,

M.C.Mathew

Biography-22 : People I want to remember- 1

I have begun getting in touch with people whom I want to remember as I entered the 70th year in my life. The first letter I wrote is to Dr P. Zachariah, the former professor of physiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, whom I have known for thirty years.

Dear sir,                                                            

Greetings. 

I have been in the process of connecting with friends who have significantly encouraged and cared for me, since I was a medical student fifty-five years ago.  Among the long list I prepared around the time of my seventieth birthday, you are high up in that list. I write to reflect and share my gratitude for all the learning experience I have had during my association with you.

My introduction to you was through my wife, Anna, who while sharing her experiences of undergraduate study at CMC, mentioned to me about the tutorial system you introduced in physiology for the under-graduates. For you to have experimented with it as early as in the mid sixties was an original thought, perhaps for the first time in any Medical College in India. I heard about the impact of this from Drs. Sara Bhattacharji, Ajit Varki  and couple of others by introducing them early in their medical learning journey for self-directed learning.  This and few other innovative initiatives you had pursued at that time in educational methodology and student initiated learning strategies made me even more curious to meet you at some time. During my short period of two years in CMC IN 1981, I had an opportunity to meet with you. That is when I heard about your pioneering work on islets of Langerhans in your pursuit to try transplanting them as a means for searching for a cure of Diabetes.

Following that, I remember meeting you and hearing you in the council meetings from the time I began attending them from 1984. That was also the time when you and Rev A. C. Oommen were jointly fostering the idea of developing the Faith and Healing Cell in order to understand the larger dimensions of health and healing. I remember receiving your periodic communications and attending a few meetings. You made the meetings to function as colloquim, which made tremendous sense to me.  During the council meetings you dwelt on several issues and the way you made them as matters of debate were special occasions of learning for me- ‘pondering’ over matters and staying open to learn from the  experiences of others.   I looked for opportunities to meet with you during the council meetings in order to clarify matters regarding the way I can proceed in our involvement with children who were developmentally compromised. I felt immensely encouraged when you mentioned during one such occasion, that people who live in the margins also deserve best of care.

You along with Dr A K Tharien and Dr Daleep Mukherjee visited ASHIRVAD Child Development Centre in 1984 to get to know the way we function in our involvement with differently able children. That morning of conversation is still etched in my memory because you made Anna and me feel valued and encouraged us to continue although it would take time before it was valued for its worth. You were on a journey to find the future of mission hospitals in India as some hospitals were already closed or on a decline in their role. It was in this context that you mentioned that it was necessary to look for new avenues of service, as conventional health care would soon be offered by the government and the private sector.  You predicted it well.  So the Christian doctors and health care professionals saw the opportunity to move into community health, palliative care, HIV related care, to make mission hospitals collaborate with the church to give wholistic care through a congregational participation.  

It was when I joined CMC a second time in 1997, I continued having regular contacts with you. I remember visiting your home periodically and receiving hospitality and immense encouragement. Your home was open and ma’m was a most thoughtful host.  Let me summarise a few recollections of my years of contact with you between 1997 and 2008, when I retired from CMC Vellore and left Vellore.    

1.   Understanding CMC, its ethos and heritage.

Hearing you narrate the several seasons that CMC passed through from 1950 was a valuable source of information for me. You referred to people who were critical in bringing defining influence in the life of the institution, faculty, students and alumni.  I have some vivid memories of the anecdotes you shared about Dr Jacob Chandy, Dr Bob Carman, Dr LBM Joseph, Dr Mary Varghese, Dr Daleep Mukherjee, Rev. AC Oommen, Suranjan and Sara…. The list is longer. The story of all of you working together under the guidance of Dr Gault to build the Men’s hostel by raising contribution for each brick; the story of the work camps; the formation of the Alumni association with your seminal role; the starting of the P-T-P fund; the way hospital expanded by trusting a person who was available to develop a medical or surgical specialty… Thank you sir, for giving me an account of the thought process that led CMC through the different seasons.  These conversations  grounded me to be appreciative of the story of CMC

2.The freedom to explore and innovate. 

I remember some details that you shared about Dr V Benjamin. How he was requested to take up community medicine although he was trained to be a physician. His subsequent efforts to turn the direction of the department, from being just a Preventive and Social Medicine department to being a critical department to experiment with primary care in the suburban villages of Bhagayam, was what made CMC a hospital to innovate to integrate primary care, secondary care and tertiary care health services in a demonstrable way. Similar freedom was available for others as well-  Drs. Daleep Mukherjee at RUHSA, Paul Brand in hand surgery, CK Job concurrently working at Karigiri and at CMC,  etc. In fact even the beginning of the super-specialties was possible because there was a similar freedom offered to other professionals to diversify as and when they were ready. I am grateful to you for telling me about the philosophy of freedom and the culture of trusting the professionals, which were unique to the institution. Your moving narratives about Dr Bhatt, George Cherian, K.V.Johny, and Dr Mohan Rao were inspirational.

3.Faculty friendly atmosphere.     

I sensed that you had a significant role in providing the policy frame work to grant study leave and sabbatical leave for the faculty, which brought enormous resource of experience to the faculty. The residential nature of the faculty and the foster-parenting system are again the traditions in CMC in which you had a decisive role at their initial stages. Both of them had a significant influences in helping students to grow up in an atmosphere of considering the faculty as their role models.  I recall  hearing from you stories of some students like Dr Ajit Singh who received enormous input so much so he decided to offer a lifetime of service in a mission hospital.    

4.The governance of the hostels

On a few occasions you referred to the purpose of creating autonomous hostel committees for students to learn the practice of looking after their own affairs. To trust students with the responsibility of running the hostels was a deliberate choice, as it was viewed as a preparation for helping them to grow up as responsible leaders, when they go to the mission hospitals. I like the way you articulated this as a belief-practice system, which prepared many student to grow ups to be leaders. Dr Christopher Moses while talking about it told me as to how much you influenced the students by your nearness and cordiality towards them.  

5.The Christian way of living

It was special to hear from you as to how Achen Oommen was a role model and a servant leader who cared for the staff and students equally. The SCM and EU co-existed complementing each other. The retreat for the faculty was something you fostered along with Achen. I remember hearing about this in some details from Achen also. The reconciliatory process after the staff strike was called off, was one another story that I heard you narrate with mixed feelings.  The follow-up retreats brought a turning point bringing cohesiveness in the community.  In fact this experience you shared with me, helped me in a meaningful way recently, when I have had difficulties during my involvement with the CMC council.   I took an effort to reach out to people with whom I have had difficulties. The inspiration came to me from what I heard from you about some stories of the reconciliatory efforts in which you were involved to help others in rebuilding the community life after the strike.  I felt encouraged by your openness to talk about some of the difficult conflicts in the life of CMC, which helped me to realize that differing opinions ought not to be a reason for polarization or distancing from each other. 

6. CMC as an example

Some of the innovations you pursued in medical education, and your involvements in the ten year participatory planning process, encouraging the faculty to take time to visit mission hospitals, for which a separate cadre was created at one time, etc. were some of the inspiring stories that gave me an insight about the bottom up approach in planning in CMC. The mission hospitals therefore naturally adopted this approach as much as possible. 

7. The healing community

You believed in this and practised it faithfully. I like the way you linked CMC with St John’s church and you earnestly endeavoured to integrate the community with the life of the  Church. Although denominational affiliations disrupted this vision, I felt the rightness of your approach and direction. 

Sir, I want to particularly thank you for your gracious help when I was involved in the administration for four years, which I had to close, when I sensed that the then director did not do enough to avoid the crisis we went through during the UG admission crisis in 2016. During that time two former directors were actively involved to pull CMC in two different directions and I had some access to both of them.  You helped me to keep dialoguing with both of them and bring about an atmosphere of dialogue between them. In fact, you visited one of them to bring in some mediation between the two. I know now that the settlement of the matters in an amicable way in the council was largely possible because the two former directors and the then director sensed the damage it would have caused, if they were to go the legal way or for an impeachment of the then director!  I remember meeting you several times during those days and feel grateful to you and Dr George Mathew,  the council secretary, for acting with tact and sense of mission.

Our conversations covered a spectrum of thoughts and ideas and I returned every time after meeting you, enthused with clarity and hope. Although I was not able to stay in touch with you since 2008, I have returned to recollect and refresh myself with the contents of some of our earlier conversations. 

You were able to sense my need each time I came to visit you. You showed patience to stay with me even when I appeared confused or was searching for my way. 

My dilemma during my involvement with CMC was that I was not an alumnus and therefore my depth of perception of the ethos of CMC was limited.  You became a companion, whose understanding of CMC and of myself provided me with what I needed each time. 

Your help when I was associated with CMAI was also most commendable. You as one of the former editors of the CMJI helped me to look at the opportunity to revive the direction and content of the CMAI journal. In fact, I went through the responsibility of editing eight issues during my  term of two years because of several conversations I have had with you. 

Let me close with several thanks and warm regards for your generous friendship and contributions to my formation.  Thank you Ma’m for your welcome and hospitality every time I visited you! 

At seventy years, what I treasure most are some of these friendships and relationships.  You remain in my thoughts and let me send you my love and regards for your wellness and health!

I want to stay in touch with you. In fact, I look forward to meeting with you at least briefly during the alumni week in August 2018! 

M.C.Mathew