I know this title is a riff on a once popular commercial. I don’t have a problem with hearing, but I do with seeing so I altered it to fit the problem!
Having been warned that I shouldn’t worry about new lenses until my chemotherapy was complete, I’ve reached the conclusion that my vision is not going to get any better. Evidently some persons undergoing chemo experience a blossoming of their cataracts. As one optometrist put it, you’ll get them (cataracts) sooner or later. I’ve had a “slow growing” one in my right eye for years. That has progressed to the point where surgery is needed. My left eye has also become afflicted. My oncologist says to go ahead with the cataract surgery whenever I can get it scheduled.
Last Sunday afternoon the Fine Arts Series at First Congregational Church sponsored the Chamber Music Collective concert. It is a new group composed of two members of the Dakota String Quartet and a violist from the Twin Cities area. They were joined by the first-chair flutist from the SD Symphony. The program varied from the traditional (Mozart) to the contemporary. It was very well played and a delightful mix of musical periods. The performing space at First Congregational is excellent acoustically. The size seems intimate although in reality not small. It was a nice way to end Sunday.
Monday morning was the appointed time to visit with the optometrist who told me I couldn’t see too well. No news to me! He has referred me to an ophthalmologist who will see me on December 5, and schedule the surgeries. I’m looking forward to a vast improvement in eyesight.
I seem to multi-schedule very well. Busy days get busier. Monday afternoon I attended an OLLI class tour of the Orpheum Theater, an historic structure in downtown Sioux Falls. It was originally constructed as a vaudeville house in 1913, complete with a railroad spur to the loading dock to enable traveling shows with considerable props and scenery to load in easily. It morphed into a “B” movie theater, fell into disuse and was purchased by a community theater group on a contract for deed with the city. The city assumed management through groups that manage other city venues. Now the theater is managed by the Washington Pavilion management group.
The theater is supposedly haunted. We did not see any ghosts at 1 PM on Monday. There is a lot of history there and we got to see the public areas and many of the private ones as well. The “green” room, dressing rooms, and backstage areas are proof that being an actor is not as glamorous an occupation as one might believe.
Then it was off to the Rebuilding South Sudan through Education board meeting. This is the outgrowth of a project begun by one of my Sudanese parishioners several years ago. His original idea was to furnish school supplies for his home village. That evolved into something more permanent that being a school building. The school was completed, and a women’s center and a medical clinic, grinding mills so the girls could attend school, water wells for a clean water supply, churches, supplies for the women’s center and medical clinic, and numberless other projects small and large. The idea of tablets and pencils for the students resulted in so much more. The Diocese of South Dakota helped considerably at the beginning of the project which has now spread to other churches, schools, community groups and anyone else who would like to help. Our main problem at this time is the lack of peace in South Sudan. We are hoping and praying that there will be a peace treaty early in the next year. Now that the buildings have been constructed and repaired, the damage being caused by the civil war, our emphasis is on projects which will make the people of the town self-supporting. You can check out our Facebook page (Rebuilding South Sudan through Education). A new website is currently under construction.
Wednesday, along with my two exercise classes in the morning, and my volunteer job at the Pavilion in the afternoon, I returned to celebrate the monthly Eucharist at Dow Rummel Village. I’ve been doing this for years but felt that I should stay away from “germ laden” places while undergoing chemotherapy. It was good to be back. We had our weekly choir practice which ended with a little party for our director who celebrated a “big” birthday.
Thursday, along with other activities, our Foyer Group from the Cathedral checked out the new Thai restaurant in town. It’s always fun to get together with this group and to try the (non-chain) restaurants available in this city.
Friday one of my teacher friends hosted a luncheon for four of us who became quite close while working in the same building and continued that friendship as we all retired at various points. It’s always fun to get together and catch up.
Friday evening was capped off by an organ recital at Augustana University Chapel. The recitalist is from Atlanta and has studied all over Europe and Canada. It was a well played program. He commented extensively on the works but due to acoustical problems I could not understand most of what he said. I did enjoy the music.
Now I’ve just returned from the South Dakota Symphony concert which featured Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” A great performance by a wonderful group of musicians. We are so fortunate to have such an excellent orchestra and music director here.
Henri Nouwen’s meditation for today spoke to me: “Never forget the words ‘In this world you will have troubles but be brave: I have overcome the world.’ Every time you spend silent time in your prayer room you celebrate Christ’s victory over the world (over death, over the evil one) and allow yourself to taste already now the peace that comes from this victory.
“It is so important for the people around you to see that peace of Christ reflected in your eyes, your hands, and your words. There is more power in that than in all your teaching and organizing. That is the truth we need to keep telling each other.”
Friends have constantly commented on how well I look. They can’t believe I’ve been through chemotherapy with such minimum side effects and that I am so active. I’m grateful for all that has been given me and hope that in my interactions with others I reflect the peace of Christ which is referenced above.
I must credit my “editor-in-chief” for her assistance with this week’s blog!
"can you hear me now
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