I’ve obviously spent some time during these ensuing 36
months thinking about Jim, for we spent many hours together, mostly at White
Sox games. One of his qualities – I would call it “interesting” – was his
penchant for saying the first thing that came to his mind. For example, while
visiting us at the hospital the day Marisa was born – he was moonlighting at
Prentice – he asked who she was named for, completing forgetting about his
uncle who had died suddenly at age 55 five years earlier. Others were rather
amusing.
Jim, Uncle Adolph and I, 1988
During a summer afternoon in 2005, Jim was riding the L to
Wrigley Field (yes, Jim would take in an occasional Cubs game, usually in the
first row behind the plate) when he spotted a young Asian boy with a
nanny. Jim said to her, “He looks like White Sox relief pitcher Shingo
Takatsu,” a seemingly racial stereotype. “He should,” the woman replied,
“it's his son.”
Shingo Takatsu, 2013
I’ll think of you, Doc, at the Sox game tonight and tomorrow
night, when Janet and I return to Section 126, Row 9, Seats 3 and 4. Such good times;
I still can’t believe they’re over.
The view from Section 126, Opening Day 2014
Fred! How wonderful to hear from you after all this time!! Yes, three years ago yesterday. Doc Nach's anniversary is marked on my calendar.
ReplyDeleteDue to my experiences with Erin, in combination with my observations of those who cared for her while she was sick, I have chosen to enter the world of healthcare and I currently work at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. We are in the process of building a new Cancer Center, and I'll be employed there when the doors open sometime late 2015.
I created a fund in memory of Erin called Scatter Kindness https://www.keepingyouwell.com/ahh/make-a-gift/ctl/detail/mid/16373/id/82
and here is some info about Erin and the reason for the fund. https://www.keepingyouwell.com/Portals/32/docs/Foundation/Erin%20Potts%20Bio%20-%20Scatter%20Kindnessrev.pdf
Nach was part of my inspiration for this idea. Its intention is to help patients find some normalcy amidst the craziness of the cancer world. He certainly taught Erin how to do that, and me too, in turn.
I write a new blog here http://bethecandleorthemirror.blogspot.com/ to spread the good word about this fund. It's been very successful so far, with more good things to come for sure.
I do miss your cousin... still. I've shared the post about him quite often as an example of how I hope all patients will be treated.
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!