An odd thing happened in my life several years ago. Out of the blue came a strong memory that arrested my attention and interrupted my plans. It is a true story that began in the late 1970s when I returned for my third year of college after spending the better part of a year working overseas at the Ecumenical Institute, Chateau de Bossey, in Celigny, Switzerland.
This story is of a unique friendship that began that fall and continued until death interrupted in 1994. I hesitated to write this until I could speak with one of his daughters to gain approval for what will likely take quite a few blog posts and time. I finally located his eldest daughter on the other side of the country, and we had an excellent phone conversation spanning two and a half hours.
I was a twenty-one-year-old who had enrolled in a class at a college in Ohio. Although an English major, I signed up for a Criminology course in the Sociology department. I must confess that there were times during my college years when I skated through classes without exerting too much time or energy. But this particular course captured my imagination, partly because it was outside the mainstream of my academic study. But the professor ably taught it, and putting my nose to the grindstone was gratifying.
The first time I entered his office, I saw stacks of books everywhere. It was a phenomenon I understood. My parents kept building bookcases in our home; both were voracious readers. My mother had a Master’s degree in Literature; my father wanted to be a pastor and read widely in history, scripture, and theology. In time he became a Lawyer — but he always retained that earlier passion.
As the course went on, a question kept nagging at me. Finally, like the young upstart I was, I threw caution to the wind and asked my prof why he had a Master’s degree but not a Ph.D. He did not answer my question. He said perhaps he would tell me one day. One day he did. But it did not happen very soon.
Stay tuned for the second part of the story.
I hope that this is the story we have been waiting for!! It is intriguing and I can’t wait for the next part!! Congrats!!
Judy — It is indeed — four blogs are already written, it may take 2 or so more after that. I am trying to get a photo of him from Witt, but I left a message. I have some personal photos — but I’d like to get an official one. We shall see! Thanks for being part of my cheering section!
What a great story, Ann! I’m so looking forward to your next post! Thank you!
I’m intrigued so far.
I’m hooked. Looking forward to the rest of the story.
Thank you all! Your responses cheer me!
Great story so far, and lovely picture of Bossey!
Marijke, Thanks. As to the picture, it should be! I found one of their cards and used it Have you ever been back there?
Looking forward to the next installment!
Thanks, Ellen! I’ve been rummaging through old photos for the next installments!
Well done and an intriguing hook to stay tuned.
Waiting for “the rest of the story”.
Very interesting
What a great hook! I look forward to the rest!
Thank you, Christa, Richard, and Debbie! I love your encouragement!
All right. All right! Where is the next chapter? Or should I ask When will the next chapter come out?!!
Nancy, I am getting back to my old schedule of publishing new posts every Tuesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. So check it out this coming Tuesday! Thanks!
We should have a Zoom meeting, all reading the next chapter together!! Love this, Ann!
Thanks, Kath! I am going slightly crazy because while the next one is written, I can’t find a picture that I need! Grrrrr.
Sounds interesting!
Thanks, Donna!
Be here next week, same bat time, same bat station!
What a relief!
It’s finally here! I’m anxious to read the story!
Thanks, Jan! Hope you enjoy the rest!