a Pediatrician's Life

Surely the Sailboat

2011-09-29T03:44:00.000-07:00

Well after Irene she was a problem: torn jib, destroyed selffurling, halyards and shrouds broken or loosened. Yesterday Sept 28, 2011 I gave her to Eugene at Tidewater Marine; I enjoyed piddling on her but took her out just maybe 12 times over the 13 years. Try to put in a pic or 2

My PTSD 1985-1995

2011-09-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

I will just introduce this topic. My friend JJ has suffered from PTSD ever since his days in Vietnam and has written 2 books about it. Mine cannot compare with his and did not occurr in a war torn country but in the medical arena.

2 weeks ago I shredded 6 large full boxes of all that crap, the hearings, the proceedings, the horrible suspensions, the unbelievable loss of constitutional rights, the humiliation, the stress, the terrible toll on my mind, body and soul. and yet it was so bad that I cannot believe that I lived through it. A person of less strenght and faith could not have made it I think now. The problem has been that it was so bad that no one could, would or will believe what happened between 1985 to 1995. But you know what: it has made me a stronger person knowing that I did live through it; that fact in itself gives me strength; if I dwell on the dark side that leads to depression and regret; knowing that my efforts did bring changes for the well being of children in this community gives me the upside; the suffering I endured makes it-- for lack of a better word--worthwhile. Jesus suffered so much more, that I cannot imagine. I can always look to Him for comfort and what He holds for me at the end here and the beginning in His Kingdom.

Missions: Thank you, Lord

2011-09-08T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of the missions over the years; thot I'd better go ahead w these b4 the memory goes--unless designated they are with NCBaptist Men

Haiti: 1964 Limbe with Hodge's, 1966 Limbe with Shirley, with Hodge's; 2010, Feb Earthquake

Truk/Micronesia: 1971-73 work and mission with Shirley; 1987 Hurricane relief with son, Jonathan; 2003 brief visit mission way back from Vietnam

Byloruss: June 1994

Vietnam: 1997, 98, 99, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 with Cambodia all with ECR Bruce Harless

Honduras: Nov 1998

Macedonia: June 1999 with son, Chris

South Africa: June 2000

Iraq: May, 2003 with Operation Blessing 700 Club

Lebanon: Sept-Oct 2006

Samoa (Western): March 2010 with Aloha Medical Mission

Disaster responses in country: Hurricane Andrew 1992 with Jimmy Grant, Hurricane Floyd/Dennis 1999, Hurricane Isabel 2002?, Hurricane Katrina 2005, Tornado Mayodan 1996, Tornado Riggelwood 2007?, Tornado Lee/Cumberland 2011, Hurricane Irene August 2011 New Bern, NC

Other: Miami with Love 2006?, London Innercity with 2002 with Operation IAM, Czech Republic Bruno Gloria Ginn 2005, all with Shirley;

Kauai, Hawaii: 2008 VBS

Israel: May 2011 with Shirley and Campbell Div School

The Mill

2011-07-24T04:16:00.001-07:00

From time to time I find myself dwelling on the mill, the flour mill my Dad owned and worked in all his life; the memory is there as far back as memories go; I grew up in it, worked in it, delivered flour all over eastern NC, climbed to the top and had flights of fancy, witnessed wind and far off distances from its 80 some feet high stance; memories of my Dad building a hopper piece by piece in an upside down pyramid to direct wheat or flour into a chute. I was about 5 years old then. Then the awful fire that burned the mill in Sanford to the ground and later our move to Henderson where Dad bought the mill there.

The hot summers when we bought wheat from the farmers all around--Glenn Easter--the dentist/farmer who had suggestions for my buck teeth; times at the wheat separater, i had to keep the trash racked off way into the night, then we go home filthy at 1-2 AM totaly worn out.als

Dad was a worker and had good relations all around. Helen the office secretary was just good and steady for 50 some years.

I sold my stock 11 years ago to prevent a contentious develepment in the family as my brother's sons had taken it over; they were making decisions without the stock holders anyway. In some ways that is regrettful and I long for the times there, but then I cherish the memories and glad they are making a success of the mill.

Post thoughts on the Holy(thanthou)land Journey

2011-07-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

I kept scraps of pieces of journals during the wild ride of a fantastic guided worldwind blitz thru Israel and Jordan. I labored myself with over 2000 pics and freq lagged behind and prob missed salient bits of info from Doran, our guide, who kept us hopping. He was a 35 yr veteran of the scene there and knew everyone which amazed us and kept us in good stead with the hotspots, both popular and out of the way, and of course the shops, where we got some pretty good deals. For instance he had been unable to get into Jordan and Bethlehem for several years, but now he was welcomed back with hugs and kisses as things have relaxed.

I am not going to belabour the points of the journey here as that can be tedious. The problem now is keeping in sinc with what this all means now. Unfortunately there is a diminution and dimming of the experience by others and myself as to it's importance. I believe there are those who are critical of pilgrams who went and 'walked where Jesus walked', who know in their hearts that returning pilgrams are no more experts or Christianized than they are--and they are absolutely correct. Unfortunately the discussion never takes place and that is that and is a dead issue--like the Dead Sea--which is dead because it just recieves and never gives.

It is sad that we have become a society of instant networking, everything is at our fingertips and internet, so that real social interaction is becoming, again, a dead thing of the past; therefore it becomes a very lonely existence. unless of course if you get your bang out of facebook, etc. I admit I do that some but it lacks the real thing. We could use all of these modern blessings to the Glory of God if we would be more respectful of each other and seek His Plan for us.

I will touch on the Palestinean and Iraeli issues. It is a much better than the news portray. We visited the Bethlehem Bible College and were amazed at the concepts and energized way that they are providing for the people there, all 3, Pals, Jews and Christians alike.

We would be amiss by not publicizing this and making donations, not only money but spiritual contributions thru our churches and communities. More on this later.

Bound for the HolyLand!!!

2011-05-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Bound for the HolyLand!!!

2011-05-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

I am starting this new blog as we prepare for our time with the Campbell Univ Divinity School, led by Professors Tony Cartledge, and Barry Jones, both who have visited Isreal several times. Shirley went in 1963, I have never been. We have prepared by reading materials given by the school, w recommenced reading of course the Bible, the Source by James Michener, a Bible Atlas by Taylor.

My own feelings are that: of a pervading sense that I am not worthy: I am not a Biblical scholar, that somehow my own spiritual maturity is not of a level to deserve such an endevour, and of course an underlying worry of safety. But on the other hand, I would regret missing this journey of a life time, and especially with Shirley, as I catch her enthusiasm. I will enjoy 'connecting the dots' of real time and place Biblical points, hopefully enriching my spiritual life; I don't want it to be just a tour. I really don't like 'tours' as most of my travels in the past 25 years have been on missions, mostly medical, overseas.

So I hope this journal/blog will not just be a tour but an insight in a deeper way while we journey through the different places where Biblical scripture occured.

Difficult Times

2011-05-04T03:34:00.000-07:00

When things are not going well or just we are so impatient that they are not progressing or people are just not plugged in and the gaps and jiving is just not there, I call upon the Lord in these times. Even with Usama Bin Laden dispatched we are left with basic questions of dispair and angst. I call upon the Lord to rescue us. Psalms 34

The List Goes On of Human and Natural Tragedies

2011-04-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

It seems God throws more at us than we can handle: earthquakes with sometimes Tsunamis: Samoa Sept 09, Haiti Jan 10, Chile Mar 10; this year: New Zealand Jan , Japan Mar 11th possibly over 20,000 deaths with nuclear meltdowns; now tornados historically maybe the worse all of this Month of April deaths over 300 through the South, one was my cousin in Sanford, another cousin hosptilaized; close at home:murder suicides, young people killed in wrecks, more suicides, one an attorney married to another cousin, another so close to our church family; this week a famous photographer from here killed in Libya, the foment in the Middle East, and then the other 2 wars that seem to have no end, then a church family with their Russian parents in a bad accident here--

But an interesting paradoxical day today with the wonderful wedding of Will and Kate, so with the Lord; helping clear a tornando victims yard-Ernerstine's home and the prayers as we left; then the wake of Chris Hombros, the photojournalist above, the Greek homily and the singing chant; he was my oldest son's classmate at TSanford High School; many classmates were there along with hundreds-

"And I will be with you always"---

Return to S Africa and England through the Memory of Clara Crocker

2011-04-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2011

I have had the privilege of working, editing and reproducing the respective DVD's of our church missions to the above countries. As I reviewed these memories I realize that it's much more than what we see of Clara but they bring back the joy, the music, the people, o the people, o the singing (and of course Bob the Best)!!! Now as I watch Will and Kate's wedding unfold, I am taken back to Sir David Wilcox's presentation of the Queen's 50th Coronation year. As I sit here with my bride of nearly 46 years, we relish this ceremony unfold so simple, yet so meaningful and so like our own ceremony so long ago yet so close there at Knollwood Baptist on June 19 of 1965 Anno Christo.

I dearly hope that others, particularly those who shared these missions can enjoy these memories, knowing that David and Clara will always hold special places in our hearts.

Perils of old age/young heart

2011-01-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

It's interesting the similarities we humans have-it's like parallel universes do exist and kinda nice when we meet up and share--

I met another 71-72 yo guy at the hospital where I just had robotic surgery--you know where the doc has fun, when all is said and done, he sits at his play station and fiddles with you inner nation!!

This guy had a wife with half her brain gone from the bad C; who was saying how lonesome they were when it seemed there was little or no communication with folks that seemingly should be doing so--that the world has become so saturated with cells, email, TV, and busy busy lives that things just don't connect anymore--with all our communication skills at hand the lonelier and more isolated we become, it's a paradoxical gap--his daughter in law and 2 grand children--strange coincidence, never called or wrote, seemed detached; the son called many times but the hidden message and gap the father felt was baring down on them and worrisome. I asked him if he prayed about this; he did over and over and sent messages to them--he was under considerble strain, his church was involved with them which helped. I told him that God would answer his prayers in His Time--however I was left with the feeling also that God does seem to leave us under difficult situations, I know I've heard it over and over: to test us--but we are left angry and hurt and want tell those who hurt us the truth, that their distancing from us does not seem to be God's Plan, but there own which is opposite from Jesus' commandment to us. Forgiveness can only come if there is communication. After we prayed we departed.

Poem written Dec 16 after finding kidney tumor

2011-01-16T13:17:00.000-08:00

I wrote this the other night about 330AM--my best poetry is while I'm still asleep!!

Twas the time b4 Xmas of 2010, when then all was quiet,

the world lay as it's been, beautiful and pliant;

when all of a sudden, there arose such a clatter,

you would have thot it was more than a little matter, and I would have rather, stayed snuggled with Shirley together,

when out of a CT there appeared a kidney tumor,

but I imagined it was just another prank rumor;

I flew to the bathroom, threw up the seat,

told my body your'e still complete,

in denial I continued to pray,

that somebody with my mind just wants to play,

that a dream ends well when you wake, come on now for goodness sake!!

Into the urologist I flew, begging for facts that this was not true,

He wore a suit of white, stained with yellow, he was such a callow fellow,

carried a bag of surgical toys, scared me with his 'boys will be boys',

proceeded to check me over, what came next I cannot cover--

When all is said and done, he said robotics will be more fun

for him as he sets there at a play station, and fiddles with my inner nation!!

Then when he has done his deed fulfill, I'll have the courtesy of his huge bill,

then up the hall he'll fly, with his 8 tiny nurses saying byebye;

For all of you who have faced this b4, I ask for your courage and faith more,

to face unafraid, the plans we have made, far back in our SS class, with Wayne, Rick, Jean, Bill, Bob, Jesse at the dias,

our pastors, our church, our prayer group, our Bible study, and any others that can be our buddy:

the lessons we were taught, that Jesus has for us bought, our infirmaties and sins, to save our skins,

on the cross he has hung them tumor and all, so that we may not fall, but in Him believe for once and for all

even when put to the knife, but have everlasting life --if we believe in Him

and to all I say a very Merry Xmas and especially to you, Jim!!! ( thanks for your 'inspirashum'!!!)

Apologies to Henry Longfellow, al

Believe, another version written Dec 2009

2011-01-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

“Believe”*, John 3:16, for whosoever believes---

Children glowing, singing o’ God’s revealing,

Our church’s calling, hear her bells appealing;

We were the children not so long ago,

But one by one we let our innocence go;

When it seemed the magic slipped away,

We can find it all again on Christ’s Birthday!

Believe in what our hearts are saying,

Hear the carols that are playing;

There’s no time to waste, each o’ us celebrates

The Baby Jesus’ joyful birth,

Hear the angels sing all His worth!!!

We have everything we need,

In Him just believe!

Time moves swiftly, earthly lives will end;

Destination: eternal life, His saving grace we depend;

By His Star o’ wonder, by His perfect Light,

Trusting Him with all our hearts and our might;

When it seems we have lost our way,

We find ourselves again on Christmas Day!

Believe and love our Jesus Christ,

And have Christmas every single day!

There’s no time to waste, we’ve so much to celebrate;

Bring back our dreams, our Lord to please;

Give us wings to fly, fall on our knees!!!

We have everything we need,

In Him we just believe!!! Yes, Lord, we believe!!

You give us hope!! You give us peace!!

You give us joy!! You gave us your Son!!!

Thank you, O Lord!!!

Amen!!!

For God so loved the world----

Love, and have a meaningful Christ’s Birthday, every day!!!

Shirley and Al

* Adapted from Polar Express: ‘Believe’ sung by Josh Groban

Poem Before Surgery For Kidney Tumor

2011-01-16T11:58:00.000-08:00

Wrestling Before the Knife, written early Jan 12, 2011

While others before me have gone

through faith their fears have flown;

my own burdens I unjustly compare

with them should dispel my own despair;

I know not why I worry and toil;

why is it not well with my soul?

I lie here, frightened and ask,

Am I not saved by His Grace?

Do I not really believe

on Him who did reprieve?

Do I really ask for forgiveness

for the sins of my life's mess?

Before him should I be bold?

Is it not well with my soul?

And so, even Jesus asked

that the cup from Him be abast.

I wish the same and without shame

do hereby give my life, my body, my soul

to Him and pledge anew to be whole,

so that peace is like a still water,

through the valley of death I will not falter,

He comforts me from the cold;

He brings me into the fold;

at last it is well with my soul!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers.

In His Precious Name,

My South Pacific

2010-08-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

I too had experinces like unto those James Michener told in his Tales of the SPacific. I remember the memories as if they are pleasant dreams, of warm tropic nights, staccoto rattle of palms, smells of oriental foods, of a different Englishes, of friends, of Friends House and walks up a special street, of working and being at Tripler again and being with the likes of Jim Bass--and then my own shortcomings--of the Air Force and Hickam, Wheeler, the Navy-- of my Dad going with me and us several times--I was truly hung up on Hawaii and the South pacific--and it appears still am--

A skit about the 3 Nuns where I directed 3 of us to blow up balloons for the bussoms, use scrubs to appear like habits and told the joke, at the resturant there on the north Saigon river in Bin Xioug; it was the birthday for Lisa Mac and the 20th Anniv for ----&----. We had a gr88 time--Lisa said it was the best BD she had ever had. The thousands of pts we saw in the 7 missions there to VN now a blur--

My time in Samoa and Aggie Grey's Hotel where James Michener prob got his ideas about TOTSP.

The Cyclone and S'avaii. Ceci and the o2 machines, her dad, Alamoana and the family. James, heroic and good nurse/physician; the Southern Cross treat for late nite bathroom breaks

Amy B, her singing and wonderful freshness and friendship and her kids, some naughty and some nice, our good times together; Buzz's, Shirley coming in as a reindeer, C and the Big Hunt.

So much else--Dr Emau and his extended Trukese family in Ala Moana park. The memories of Truk, those of Hawaii over 42 years---all too much to bear. Brian and Kimi, good friends bridging the past.

Hawaii and Haiti

2010-01-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

It has been frustrating in that I am unable to go to Haiti immediately with disaster teams like with those where I helped out in Honduras, Macedonia, Lebanon, Iraq, S Africa, Byloruss, Vietnam, and Cambodia; but it is just as well since I am hooking up with Aloha Medical Mission here in Hawaii to go to Samoa in early to mid Feb. Being in Hawaii at this time where life is good makes me almost feel guilty, but with prayer and being with good church folks here is preparing me for His Works ahead.

I know that if the Lord wants me to go to any of these places it is His Will and not mine. So I will be patient unto Him. Haiti will have terrific needs for a long, long time; it already did before the earthquake. I had been there on 2 medical missions in the mid 60's.

To those who question God as to why these terrible things happen, the real question is how do we respond to help those in need in the Name of Jesus. I will await His Word.

Well, be careful for what you pray for: I was invited and now Feb 9, I have been here in Haiti for 4 days. I will try to cut and paste my emails to this blog. I cannot descibe all the people, events and feelings at this time, except to say that it has been overwhelming, tiring and yet I would not have had it anyother way. It tops all the other missions I have been invloved with. I will never ever forget it.

Last night I spent my 2nd nite in the Hospital-For Little Sisters and Brothers--aka St Damien's--I did so at the behest of the night shift pediatrician just out of her residency. A few moments later she came out of bathroom crying: at my wondering she said she lost her parent and her brothers in the earthquake. One of the other volunteers prayed with her. Later we brought her some dinner.

EMAILS sent:

-Feb 6---Aloha and Bon Jour BW, C, GG, WH, and all Acts 2, SS, Bible Study and Snyder, & friends in Hawaii!! Wow over whelmed here in peds Ed. Structure and organization is spotty and kinda wild but busy and naever catch up. At 430P a DKA diabetic is brought in by Doctors w/o Borders and therefore our ride back to the compound is out of the question at 530--so 2 of us stay to take care of him--5 yo sick x 10 days. Rx iv fluids and insulin and watchig his Blood sugars all night. all the beds here about 20 have been filled with little kid w IV for 1-2 days; the wards are alos filled. No beds.Language is problem but have excellen RT lady named Jackie Currie who was here x 5 years in 80's and still know her Creol. She had visited L' Pital Bon Samaritan in Limbe.A Haitian nurse name Sue is excellent and knows diabetics. I have tried to sleep on hard cot here in hospital but spotty at best. The pedaitiric hospital here was virtually undamaged and had been a life safer to this part ot Port of Prince in that it took care of adults also.It is a Catholic Hospital well run and clean and organized well. There seem to be plenty of supplies brought in from everywhere. GI's the 82, the UN , Franklin Graham's--we heard him speak our first night-- are all present, Choppers and planes are ever present, the roads are jammed. Tthings are better, folks say, now its organized chaos. It's still like a war zone.Sounds like things are better than when Steve Logue was here--I talked to him right after her cme back.Where the NC Bapt team is staying, 28 of us. after a 11 hour ride from Santo Domigo, is about 15 miles N of POP and is a sereal compound on 60 acres that Global Missions contracts to us; Samaitan's Purse is also here; it over looks the Caribean Sea, and far quieter than the chaos if POP. Missionary homes are where we stay; the missionaries left to go bak to the states after the earth quake; they had been here 17 years. Ok back to bed and try to sleep some. our team should be back about 7Am. More later. Thanks for your prayers, Al -

To SusieR, MaureenK: Feb 7--Father Rick, Director of the St Damian Hospital for Childrenand Babies, is also a physician; at mass this early morn he gave a most poignant homily about one of his parishers who lost his family, the memorial sevice being given on the ruins of the home where the deceased still rested. "This was true calvary, where Christ was placed on the cross; this was not drive by service in an air conditioned bus."I wish I could convery what all this about.

Feb 9--Aloha FraN&Horace&Shirley and Amy!!! Copy Dr Sisi:

How did the dinner cruise go?? Sent the mess below to John and Grace but guess they are away. Spending another 24 hrs here at this Little Brother and Sister Hospital; the lady peds nurse asked me to stay and help her; then she broke down and cried; her parents and brothers were all killed in the earthquake. We took her to supper here in the hosp and then stayed until we cleaned out the out pts.This is really very nice hosp--Catholic and well endowed and clean. It is so hot though and the work is burdensome w translaters and the ped ed is just not well organized. The DKA diabetic is finally turning the corner and peds endocrin is taking over--got him admitted to the ward. Spent wonderful morning yest with ped spec w HIV babies. He even had all of his pts on EMR!!Hope yall have had a good time. I am sorry I felt compelled to leave you and go on a another crazy tear. Youve got 2 more days--sure yall will make the most of it--how many suit cases on the plane!!!!????Regards to Amy and kids; Will be in touch w you asap when I get back late Fri nite in Honolulu. That will be some time travel from Haiti--Shrl will have to pour me out of the plane.Apprec your prayers for Haitian people. Love, me

Our church here in Honolulu

2010-01-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

We have been attending the University Ave Baptist Church almost every Sunday; I had visited this church several times on my missions to VN; Bruce Harless, the director of the ECR missions to VN, started the Vietnamese refugee church here back in the early 90's.

Emory Gaskins is the pastor, and his wife, Cindi, is the music director and we have really enjoyed the worship service there; much of it is similar to our New Way at Snyder.

God works in mysterious ways and presents us with recurring God-incidents. Cindi's sister in Pennsylvania, I believe, was one of the cofounders of Passport; they had already heard about our tragedy in Fayettteville out here, due to their youth meeting some of Snyder's youth in previous Passports, before I asked Emory to pray about all involved as I left to go be with my brother, John Fox, and his family in early November.

I will attach some pics of the church and the Gaskins.

Bill's last Sunday

2010-01-10T04:46:00.000-08:00

Well in Aug 09 we visited First Bapt Hickory for the last time to be with Bill&Crystal for their farewell. We really enjoyed being there. I'm wating on Bill's response to my pic of his church with the cloud.

Books Review: Author Homer Hickam

2010-01-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Since my DIL(daughterinlaw) is a gr888 book reviewer, see Calico Critic, I might as well tell you about the above author, whose most famous work is October Sky, aka Rocket Boys. I fell in love with Keeper's Son when I picked it up on Ocracoke last year about this time, Jan 09, while I was the pediatrician at Cherry Poiont, NC, taking care of many Coast Guard families staioned at Ft Macon.

The protagonist, Josh, is one of the Ocracoke lighthouse keeper's sons, joins the US Coast Guard right before the U-Boats start marauding the NC coast. The fascinting weaving of the story includes a love theme, a look at the German side of the war, and then the most climatic build of any story I have ever read. I wish I could tell you more but--well you know. Homer also wrote the quintessential history of the U-Boat war on our Eastern seaboard.

Then to top it off he carries our same hero and other salty Outerbankers to the Pacific theatre, engaging them at Guadacanal and the Solomons in the Ambassodor's Son. I will let you read this one to find out who it's named after and see another interesting historical character who was in the same island group at the same time.

If that's not enough, he takes our erstwhile group to Tarawa and again weaves in haunting, heartbreaking, believeable love stories that will grip you way after you have finished this cannot-put-down novel: The Far Reaches.

He changes themes back to his NASA experience in Back to the Moon. It is not only another fast read but so pertinent in our day of changing tactics for spacek.

My hats off to Homer Hickam!! By the way Red Hat is out there, about another subject he knows well since he grew up there: West Virginia coal mining. Check out his website: homerhickam.com

Thanks, Homer; I can't wait for another sequal following Josh Thurow (hope I spelled it right).

Hunting&Fishing in Hawaii

2010-01-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

Chris flew in Dec 30 and we wasted no time flying the next day to the Big Island where, after staying at the Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp, arrangements for a guide had been made months earlier from the Parker Ranch. Jack Ku who met us at his home at AM, was amazing as he regaled us with stories of his expeditions with colorful language as we drove almost 2 hours over the completely varied terrain of the biggest of the Hawaii'an Islands. Every eco system except for tundra is represented here.

We arrived somewhere NW of Waimea near Kohola and immediately began the quest for would you believe--goats-!! Goats are endangering the ecology by eating the scrubs and vegetation, and thus causing erosion. So we are doing a favor to nature for each goat we can de-goat and I hate to say: gloat about; that's really baaaaaaad. Sorry.

Chris and Jack's assistant, Bronson, must have tracked over the rough terrain for 8-10 miles all together following trails and sightings of herds that were out of range. Rocks the size of pineapples hidden in scrub grass were potential ankle sprangers. Finally a shot rang out. It was at 1010AM; I was sure hoping Chris had 'gotten his goat'!!! It took another 25-30 minutes for Chris to pop over the hill and gave us the big circle OK sign. I almost cried for him and myself (and the cost of the venture being justified). Jack went over the hill to help Chris and Bronson. Another 20 minutes followed then they appeared with the object of the hunt. It was one of those 'aha' epiphany moments. Suddenly out of somewhere a Hawaii'an chant was heard: 'Kamakanuinuimakahinikanakakamehameha'; we all fell silent as a wave of gentle wind of Pele Noa Na Ka Oi blessed us and kissed our okoles. The above pics describe the scene:

Monday Jan 5 we continued our sporting activities on the island of Kauai, catching up with good friend and minister Steve Bishop of the Eleele Baptist Church, and one of his deacons, Art, who took us fishing, both salt and fresh water. The former was some of the roughest sea cliffs I have witnessed with winds howling at 30 knots. They were able to pull in a few humuhumu-nukunukuapua'a s and threw them back. As they caught each one they sang the song: "My little grass shack in Kalakakua, Hawaii"!!! It was exciting and a little dangerous, especially singing the song and dodging the big waves!! Witness these pics:

These events were more spiritual than physical and will forever be embossed in my heart and mind, as I suppose for Chris also. Jonathan and I had similar father/son experiences on our trips to NY and Chicago. Hunting and fishing with Chris was a special bonding time. The actual hunt and tracking was one thing; the actual kill for him (and me vicariously) was another. In our evolutionary human experience fathers taught sons hunting and fishing and fed their families. The kill was more than for food though; it was a ritual process that gave thanks to God and gave man divine direction and purpose. It was implicit in its meaning where maybe a word cannot be found to describe it. The spiritual implications of the blood sacrifice are so a part of our religions and our Bible, that is whatever we receive, all of it came from Our Great Father in Heaven and we must give part of it back to Him. The other part of this is that the animal's life is given for us and that we must respect it and treat it as if it is the last one on earth. I wonder if we could bring back this spiritual and philosophical teaching in all that we do now on this earth which may be in peril either locally or globally. Now that I have said that Jack made us leave the carcass there for the island gods and pigs. He said they have to eat too. I was hoping to make goat jerky.

Aloha&MerryXmas=MeleKalikimaka!!!!!

2009-12-21T07:05:00.000-08:00

Jingle bells on a steel guitar; Thru the palms trees the same bright star!!

Mele Kalikimaka is the island way to say Merry Xmas to You!!!!

Hello again this time I feel like Adam in the Garden of Eden, and have just been delivered a most wonderful Xmas present and I didn't have to give up a rib for her, altho I would have given an arm or a leg: Yes, Santa's sleigh flew my beautiful bird to me here in the islands. She was supposed to come nonstop from Charlotte on an inaugural flt on the Wright Brothers famous day 12/17, but head winds caused them to drop down in LA to take on some more fuel. Sure glad the pilots weren't preoccupied with their laptops!!! See her pics as she came in!!!

Chris comes on 12/30 and then we go into nonstop with hunting on the big island and fishing on Kauai. We will try to fit in all our favorite places and resturants here on Oahu too. He has been accepted into a radiology residency at Madagan Army Hospital in Tacoma, Wa in 2010. Congrats, Dude!!

Shirley and Chris spent a wonderful TGiving with GG's/WH's family in Vero Beach; I sure miss seeing all of them and Matthew and Colson; I hope Santa is good to them!! Matthew has been doing Gr888 on the piano.

I will be 'hanging it up' on January 1, 2010. I have really enjoyed my work here, but I need time now with Shirley to spend the next 6 weeks finding our old selves in the 'old Hava'iki that we experienced 40 some years ago. Life is what the Lord gives us!!!! It is a gift--the present!!!

The Top Ten Events of 2009 are: my wife, my family X 10!!!!

A Very bountiful Aloha and Merry Xmas to all of you!!!! God Bless you and God Bless America.

Al&Shirley

Honolulu Marathon

2009-12-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

I wish I had the pic of George Brown and I as we finished the HM together 16 years ago Dec 1993. I was just down watching it, at 5 this morning Dec 13, 09, starting off with the fire works and the StarSpangedBanner!! As I looked for my friend, Dan, running his 30th, the feelings and memories of that morning long ago welled up inside. I couldn't believe myself that I did it and now all that's happening since. Where did all the years go??

George had done all of them since 1974 or so, so that made it his 19th or so. He had been asking me, then encouraging me as I started training back in Sept of that year. Our SpringerSpaniel got into the act and over the next 3 months I figured later that she&I covered the distance to Boston in our training practice; so we did our own Boston Marathon getting ready for the HM!! Why was I doing it?? I needed another reason rather than just to do it.

One day at the hospital a patient's mom said she had trouble taking her very sick boy to the ED; she had no car, no transportation. The idea went off in my questing head: raise money for her to buy a car. That was my mantra and my shirt saying: "I'm running for Linda's car"; on the back it said "Bury me at Punchbowl". Later after finishing we gave Linda a check for I believe, thinking back, about $1800. There was a write up in the Fayetteville paper.

George&I got to Honolulu 2-3 days before the Big 2nd Sunday, played some golf, got psyched up, me plying him for help tips. Then the time came, gathering down at Ala Moana Park about 430AM, the gathering dread/thrill, wandering if I could really do it--. There were at least 25,000 runners gathered. The Kenyans and other fastest marathoners were put up front. The fireworks went off and so did we, although it took about 6-8 minutes for the crowd and us to really start running. The first 7-8 miles went well, climbing up and around Diamond Head to a glorious sunrise; I was going to be fine. Right.

At Hawaii Kai, about mile 13, I hit the wall!! I had to stop; cramps set in; I thought I was done for; I was lying in someone's front yard; agony of agonies; George was very patient; he even massaged my cramping legs; gradually I got better; unbelievably I got up and started a say-shaying/shuffle-- I learned it from the Trukese (where Shirley&I lived in Micronesia). The next few miles were a blurr; I have memory now of the false finish line at the beginning of Kapiolani Park which was like a Jacob/Rachel thing where you have to work another 7 years to get your true love; 26 miles is a long way, but the other 0.2 miles to the finish is like another 100; the pure joy of finsihing is like no other--well I could mention something but not here--but finish I did and George was right there with me, sacrificing his usual time of 2 hr and 40 min to do my 6 hours and thirty some minutes. Receiving the clapping crowds, the shell lei, the medal, the shirt, remembering the sweaty smell, my own priceless sweat, lying under the huge umbrella banyan trees, just relishing not having to run any more, and that I was still alive!! Thank you, Jesus!!

I swore at the time that I would never do this again, but I did. Running is sorta like an addiction. I ran the 94 HM this time George doing his usual 2+hours; I cut my time by 30 minutes. Later in July of 95 I ran the Grandfather Mtn Marathon. I tried 2 more but my shoes gave out and I could never find another pair. It takes magic shoes. You also have to be a little driven and crazy.

George and I got together again in Dec 95, while I worked on the Big Island for a few months; this time I just did the Mayor's Walk 10K; George continued to do the HN until he broke his hip on ice about 2 years ago. I think he did 37-38 consecutive HNs!!! My running shorts and shoes are off to him for that and helping me achieve these memorable moments in my life!!!

Thanks, George!!!

Cherry Point-Anchors Away Me Boy!! Oct 08-August 09

2009-12-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

I was very fortunate to be asked to be the pediatrician at this wonderful Marine Base in Havelock, NC. For me it was just right between New Bern and Morehead City, 17 miles each way. We had rebuilt Shirely's old home place on Brice's Creek about 5 years before. A small condo at Atlantic Beach had been a get away place for nearly 30 years.

I was to bridge the gap until another retired USAF peds could come. Those 10 months were busy and challenging as re military medicine and the Computer which kicked my butt for nearly 3-4 weeks, but it was good for me, later using the same system at Tripler a year later. My CO was the best person possible: Captain John Burgess, not just because he was a double Wake Forest graduate, under grad and Med School, but a super CO, fair, helpful, directive and in command without overbearing. Of all that I miss about Cherry Point, he is missed the most. Here are some pics of that memorable year.

The Micronesian Connection--Keep on Trukkin

2009-12-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

Honolulu is a magnet for the Micronesians, the island ethnic groups between here and the Phillipines and New Guinea Island Groups. In 1971-73 Shirley, Jonathan and I lived in Truk-now called Chuuk; I was the pediatrician for about 3 million square miles of ocean and about 50 square miles of land. Micro--nesia means many small islands. Those were exciting days working with their local physicians and Peace Corp, sometimes traveling on steamers for hundreds of miles to see patients on small islands, the people living just like National Geographic pictures them. Shirley fit right in raising a blond 2 later 3 year old toe head. She was the perfect wife in a 3rd world tropical island. She accompanied me on several of the travels. She collected wonderful shell specimens and even snorkled, while I made about 50 some scuba dives on the ship wrecks from WW2.

Now I am seeing many of these folks here; the Chuukese respond very excitedly when I speak their language!! I have reconnected with a Chuukese doctor here who I worked with over 36 years ago, and made pictures recently with his extended family. I am putting a few of these on the blog.

What's the reason for the population shift? Their islands are becoming over populated and life is more difficult there. They are looking for the better life. Most are on subsidies and Medicaid, though I see many working, like my parking garage attendants. Actually along with the Hawaiians and the other rainbow spectrum of people here, they add even more color to Hawaii.

It's a job, but I love it!!

2009-11-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

Working in Hawaii is sure different than a vacation, but for the length of time I'd just as soon be working, and of course getting paid!! Otherwise one could ill afford it unless you're filthy rich or just wanted to go thru your retirement quickly. (Actually I would do it free if I was filthy rich!) I love the job here--as a joke goes--'I love going to my job; I just hate the 8 hours until I go home'.

That's not true with me: doing pediatrics at Tripler is the 'Everest" of peds to me; there are 7:30 rounds where a problem in a child is broken down to its essential parts hx, phys, labs, daignosis and differentials, and rx; the residents are quizzed and anyone can offer or ask for information. Other larger conferences are held if I have time from my schedule which is manageable with 10-18 pts. Also the staff docs and nurses are incredible and always ther to help. Everything is on computer--EMR and most times it works.

I really enjoy getting to know the parents and kids; it's amazing the number of coincidents (God incidents) that occur. Just the other day a mom said she was born in Hawaii, and at the old Kaiser hosptial; I hated to ask when but she said anyway Nov 1973. Wow!! I said I bet I could have been your pedatrician!! Several parents have lived in Fayeteville; since we have been there for 34 years I suppose its inevitable.

I love to have the 3rd year students from U of Hawaii Med School and the Uniform Med School in DC; they are eager to take part in the hx and phys and eval of labs, studies, and assessment and plans; this can lead into more analysis and discussion of the problem after the pt leaves; I love to throw them questions; so far they are pretty sharp!!

As for getting to Tripler, I have to get up about 430 and hit the road by 615 if I'm going to make the 730 rounds; traffic is a problem but I've got my route and can usually make the 9 miles in 30-35 minutes. Listening to Radio KINE or Hawaii's NPR, learning my barbershop songs on my iPod, or talking to Shirley makes the time past quickly and of course the scenery ain't bad!! There's still plans to put in a monorail type mass-transit. Impact studies re the environment seems to trump all other issues.

Re being here 5000 miles away from Shirley (she'll be here in less than 4 weeks now-yeah!!), J WH and the grandkids in Fla, and Chris in Texas, and home for these 6 months, I compare it with the military guys and girls who are deployed to far more hardship areas--'the sandboxes'. I rejoice with a tinge of guilt that I am here trying to do the best job I can for these families. I feel unworthily blessed. I will look back when I do go home, that this has been the most special opportunity of this time of my life. God has done this for me. My job right now is to fulfill His gift to me to my utmost. Thank you, Lord.

A Time for "Believe" again!!

2009-11-20T23:36:00.000-08:00

Last year bout this time I took liberty with Polar Express's Believe by Josh Groban. I'm sorry; I still think its pretty good: a better message for the season!!! I will try to cut and paste it here.

BarberShop in Hawaii

2009-11-20T00:26:00.000-08:00

I've been attending the practice sessions of the Sounds of Aloha a large Barbershop group here that belong to the Barber Shop International; a very talented and great group of guys, about 60-65, some have been with the group 30 years. I have tonite decided to join but will still have to work and be in audition to be able to do performances with them. There are several Xmas programs that I hope to be able to be accepted for; it's taking the place of choir and men's ensemble at home. There are several leaders who keep us focused, like Our Great Leader at home--LD!! In meantime its practice w the CD's and the sheet music--a lot of work like the Tree but very inspirational!! The person who introduced me to this group is Dan Tom, long time friend of Evelyn Gardner, who with her husband Joe were residents here in the 60's. Here's a pic of Dan and some others as they sang at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center last Sat.

Well I finally did my 1st performance Dec 3 at the Kahala Nui Nursing home; I was told I did OK!! Here's my pic with my friend Dan Tom and then the whole group. We have 3 more performances this week of Dec 7-12.

40 years ago in Hawaii

2009-11-16T02:30:00.001-08:00

Its like being a ghost being and working here again; Shirley was expecting finally-we had to go over to Molokai at the advise of an old tutu, to visit the phalic rock- and exactly 9 mo of incubating Jonathan on the N Shore Haleiwa beach she delivered him at Tripler where I now am a contract pediatrician. Honolulu has changed in these 40 some years (and so have we).

Here's a couple of pics of where "I was born" Jonathan used to say.

Friends and Cousins in Hawai'i!!!

To top it off to make a long story short, our friends, Carolyn and George Brown were here the same time; they were in OB-Gyn and Pediatric residencies. We were in each others weddings in Winston-Salem. It was magic doing things together here again. We have been well represented with relatives over the times.

Shirley's cousin Jeff and wife Fran were here too in the Navy and Army respectfully; more later about them.

My cousin Fran and her husband Horace were here when we we arrived in July 1967 and put us up for a few days until we found a place to stay. They are coming out in January for the 1st

time ; they will get a shock!!

Then I had a cousin, Freda here with her husband, Lucien, stationed at Pearl Harbor Navy. There son, Sandy, was born a few months before Jonathan. We had some good parties at their home!!

Now Shirely's cousin Bobby and his wife, Amy, both Army West Pointers and 3 kids have been having a good time together.

Also a pic of Dan Tom, a friend of Evelyn Gardner in Fayetteville, Hong Le, who directs the Cambodian Mission, and self at the University Ave Baptist church we attend; Bruce Harless of ECR introduced me to this church in 1997, my first of seven missions to Vietnam.

Another amazing person we have known since 1967 is Maurine King who we met at Nuuanu Bapt Church then who has been teaching at Hawaii Baptist Academy for 50 years!!! On every visit here she has been most gracious in her hospitalilty to Shirley&I; we also learn interesting tidbits of the history here as well as her wonderful meals at her home. She is an institution to say the least!! She is also on Bruce's ECR Board of directors.

George and Pearl Meida of Kauai are other wonderful friends who participate on the ECR missions. We have a lot of fun as well as give tremendous help to each mission to VN and Cambodia.

Spirituality and Sin and Tragedy

2009-11-16T01:56:00.000-08:00

Which are the factors that make men evil or cause evil? Mental illness, Satan, man's various emotions and behaviours, the time around the full moon?? All of these things seem to coalesce at the time of the Maxwell murders, the Ft Hood massecares, the rampage in Florida, the attack on me at Tripler--no body harm--just hurt pysche, then my own loneliness producing a call up of old teen harmonal rambunctiousness--fortunately resulting in more loneliness. Living in paradicical Hawaii has its shortcomings mainly that of sans wife--God! She's coming in a month!!!

So the whole past 12 days or so have been flying home to be with my brother and friend John Fox, spending 6 days there- as if I was an already apparition in Hawaii impersonating another apparation returning to my old haunts in Fayetteville!! Flying back brought many old memories of the many times we have flown here as if on a magic carpet. Sorrow was an unwelcome companion this time; John's magnificant magnamanity was one of the most uplifting issues to come out of this tragedy; I pray for him and Henrianne and the whole family, that the Lord will sustain them and uplift them as David says in the 23rd Psalm!! John is a better man than me; in fact like Eric Johnson said of his father's remarks about John Fox: he's a gentleman and a 'gentle man"! He is also a Godly man!!

Our new pastor, John Cook, retired USArmy Chaplain at West Point, at the most poignant funeral, brought us to know that in any storm, Jesus is in the boat with us. We just need to call out to him to calm the waves, the storm. And that is exactly what happened.

I am so blessed to have been able to come home at this most precious time. The magic carpet has Christ as our pilot. Thank you, Lord.

Hawaii now into 2 months

2009-11-16T01:36:00.000-08:00

Well just attended the Big Kokua Fundraiser for the Pacific Islanders Victims of the Tsunami, gave $500 in name of Tripler Pediatrics--my check all by meself- that was matched by Clear Channel Radio-wow! Wish I had said they deserved more of a kokua than the weak clapping they got, and wish I had included the Filopino kids--kinda concentrated more on the Samoans which was OK for all they have been through. Then after that I got distrasted by the Hooter girls and maybe tried to be some hero thing to my dirty blonde waitress; who was this old creepy guy trying to put the make on her she thought--while all along I was just missing my wife more and more as the sun sank into its romantic swan song and the Star of Honolulu left its mooring with the hula girls and guys doing their thing on the wharf--oh well that's life of a lonely pediatrician in Hawaii.

September 09 New stuff

2009-09-19T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well, you have careful about what you pray for--- several months ago I put my name in the hat for a position at Tripler and now am faced with --guess what--a job there---funny you know how you want something--(need another thing)--then when its staring you in the face, you start shying away--more later. I am praying; the good things are the freinds there, Tripler the Mecca that I have dwelled in and been stimulated by Dr Jim Bass, the memories of S&I 40+years ago;

Thebad: the stinking air travel, terrible heads, screaming babies, going thru security, tiredness--but finally arriving at the BAP-best airport- in the world; let's not scrutinize the familiarity of all of it--not get depressed over missing so much back here--what will I regret more? Not going or going--and hey--its a job they're paying for it--hope its enough in Hawaii--and its patriotic and there's Chris there in the 'Hood"--just hope we can go hunting--then hope to get the boat down to GG---more later.

Bill's last Sunday

2009-07-30T00:48:00.000-07:00

In late July, Bill, my wonderful B-I-Law married to my equally erstwhile sister, resigned after some 40 years in the pullpit; he was at Hickory 1st Baptist since 1995, at Rockingham 1st Baptist before since 1975, and before at Kiokee Baptist since about 1969. He is an avid Wake Fan and a reason that he and Crystal moved to within spitting distance of the campus in Winston. I hope we can save on hotel rooms when we come to the games.

Here are some pics of that memorable day.

GR88888 Time July 2-8

2009-07-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

It was gr8888 having GG&C here, all the Brinson folks and the Hartness'ssss. Then we had a new boat, new lift, and dock annex; lots of good food and fun. The weather was good most days; the 2 trips to Shack were supper!!! Will post more pics later.

2009-07-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

These past 2 months!!!

2009-07-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Have been wonderful but hard work esp for Shirley; the whole idea was to celebrate our families after some 44 years of being married not just to each other but to our wonderful families and friends.

We started out with our Bible Study group of about 10 couples the last of May. We had some good hoedown music!! The Overbys, Joe&Gretchen joined us and then we attended Joe's Sunday School Class at !st Baptist here in New Bern.

Then All of June was preparing for the big 44/70 birthday for July 2-6. The highlite of course was having Jonathan fly in on the 2nd, and Chris on the 3rd. His girlfriend Katie 3rd year med at MCV, joined us Saturday the 4th. My Cuz Fran&Hus Horace came in late Friday. In the meantime a new member of the family joined in the form of Ms Grady-White 18.5. Just in time for the boys gettin here was the transformation of the dock annex and the boat lift unbelievable in 4 days by Mr Arnold and Co. We made 2 runs to Shackleford banks with Katie, C, and GG (J) amd me swimming to a sandbar the 1st time.

On July the 4th we had the Brinsons gang with about 25 folks with Lennie of Europe '62 fame, and his wife Carolyn from Henderson. Then July 5th my sisters family came in: Crystal, Bill, and Ren. Monday July 6 my brother WB and wife Ruth came, followed by Angel and Mike, then my wonderful uncle John and his daughter Patsy. We had more good hoedown music.

Then July 11 we invited down our Celtic Museum group: Alton, Brian, Liz and her friend Lisa from Nebraska, both fantastic fiddlers. Neighbors Barabara, Bill and Isabelle, Richard and Rebecca joined and we made more gr8888 hoedown music with Bill and his harmonicas.

Then Shirley invited 3 women of the Bible Study group back this past week. We made another mad run at Nickolus Sparks new house on the Trent.

There is so much to tell some not so good, ie: the snake eating my baby birds; the beaver chopping a lot of our willow tree. But I can't believe its over--all like a dream- maybe it was.

More pics posted today 7/20/09; Be sure to go all the way down to see all the new pics!!!