Inguguration Day

Suerk and I share a friend who offered the words that follow in his blog. We thought it might be right to share his words here today.




rise up; it is a brand new day

My Grandfather, the one whose name I share, was raised at the family place by a woman his father used to own. His father, whose name I also share, is buried there in the family graveyard, just feet from his slaves. His grave is elaborately marked, but not that of his son's nannie. Just simple rocks. A low, stacked stone wall separates them, the named and the nameless.

There is a walnut chest of Aunt Janie's passed from generation to generation that occupies a place of honor in our family. It is Aunt Janie's Chest, a gift to her favorite white child and it sits in the bedroom of my father, whose name I share.

My father, I was to learn later in life, lost a job and changed a career because he marched and preached for those who lacked his same rights, those nameless souls that languished in poverty, ignorance and discrimination. The broken. The destitute. Those full of grace. The nannies and the craftsmen and the toilers. Those across the wall.

So the election of a black man to this nation's highest office resonates deeply within me. It rattles through my core and calls up emotions I didn't know I had. Emotions probably shared with generations of like-named men. It breaks through the layers of prejudice and hate and violence and fear. It breaks down so many walls, real and imagined. More than anything, it makes me proud of my family, proud of my country, proud of what we can achieve. Indeed, there is hope.

JTBjr

A Visit With Jamie Finlay '87

I have stopped asking Suerk his permission for a visit from an old friend. He tends to fret over it, often telling me to tell the visitor not to come. That's why Jamie's visit on Tuesday the 6th was a surprise -- a surprise and a gift for Suerk, and for all the rest of us. Jamie's words that follow will reveal why.

Matt




Perspective...


There are specific events that happen to us and our friends over the years that truly open our eyes and widen our perspective. The news of what happened to my friend and our friend Suerk in July 2008 was such an event.


Driving up from Pittsburgh this Tuesday I was preparing myself for anything and everything...would Suerk receive my surprise visit with joy or would he feel guilty that I had come all the way from London to see him. How was he going to receive a friend not seen for over 10 years and former student from almost 30 years ago? Yes, I was a wee bit nervous as I walked into the reception at the Western Reserve Nursing Home in Erie.


To say that everyone at the hospital knows Paul Suerken would be an understatement. At reception announcing my arrival to see Suerk, the 3 staff around the desk in unison told me which room he was in. At the same time a couple of staff walking past told me too...this a scene Scrubs with a chorus of staff in unison announcing his room number at the same time! This 'news' from so many immediately felt good.


Down the corridor, then turning right, I walked into his room at 11:30am, 30 minutes later than he was told earlier in the morning that he was to receive a surprise visit from a friend coming from from far away. I peeked round the room dividing curtain, looked at Suerk lying in his bed and said, "Hey stranger, long time no see...sorry I'm late!" About 10 seconds of silence, lots of blinking from Suerk, then a deep intake of breath and, "Oh my...oh my...Jamie...what a wonderful surprise! Then after another pause as we comprehended we were looking at each other Suerk said, "You British students back in England...turning up late for class you were always saying, (pausing again to say in his best British accent!), 'Sorry Sir for being late!"


It was an emotional opening few minutes for the both of us. I walked round the bed to his side to give him a kiss and caress his head...we both managed to hold back our tears of joy and happiness in being together in the same place and time after last seeing each other when I drove through Erie in 1997. I sat on the end of his bed and when asked wiped tears and 'gunk' from his eyes. (Suerk liked the word 'gunk'!) Beaming smiles from both of us and 3 hours of wonderful conversation began.


From earlier blogs from those who have spoken with and visited Suerk I too can add that our dear friend and mentor is 'still all there' and his mind is still as sharp as a pin. There he was recalling our days since our paths first crossed in a classroom at Cranleigh School in Surrey, England in September 1981 for General Studies when I was a 12 year old British student and Suerk was starting his exchange teaching year. Names of former Cranleigh students, faculty and events that took place pretty much tripped off his tongue as memories were triggered.


Then lunch arrived...the time that I had hoped to be with him so I could feed him. We began to laugh recalling a phrase often used in Kiel Hall during my year at Mercersburg, 1986 to 1987...then Suerk boomed out in a hearty strong voice, 'Feed me baby...feed me awwlllll night long!!"


Also noted in an earlier blog, feeding Suerk is a politely requested rhythmic pattern. And with this lunch it was, "...juice...meat...beans...rice...,juice...meat...beans...rice..., juice...meat ...beans...rice," with the rhythm occasionally broken by, "bread...coffee," and dabbing his chin from any mis-entered serving by me. When it came time to serve the lime sorbet we joked about whether either of us had seen anything in nature that matched the vivid green in the cup!!


After 3 hours it was time to leave. Suerk was beginning to look tired and he wanted to get an afternoon nap in. The surprise visit bringing up past memories and thoughts of the future had tired him. I promised I would come back to the USA to visit him wherever he was and that next time my visit wouldn't be a surprise. We thanked each other for the wonderful time we had just spent together. I walked round to Suerk's side, gave him a kiss and again caressed his head and shoulders as we said our final words. "It's at times like this I feel like Stevie Wonder!," said Suerk as his shoulders jigged up and down. He said it was a sign of happiness from him. As I moved to the end of his bed Suerk smiled and said, "I love you Jamie." I walked back to his side and rubbed his other jiggling shoulder, "I love you too Suerk." As we both tried to hold our composure Suerk barked out, "Now get out of here before I start to cry!!" "Me too," I said as I turned passing the room dividing curtain out into the corridor.


To sum up, I'll be honest in stating that despite Suerk saying he is comfortable in the current hospital and that the staff are great, I believe that I, those of you reading this, other former students, faculty and parental friends of Suerk can muster together to do somethings to make his future life as comfortable as possible, maybe with life outside the nursing home back in his home and provide him numerous things to look forward too. I would go as far as to suggest a campaign called,"Do It" or "Do It For Suerk". 'Do It" is what he used to shout at students in England to give them a boost, (sometimes to get his way!), and it's what he had printed on his t-shirt when he trained and ran the London Marathon in 1982. "Do It" was barked out by Suerk again during my visit as he advised me on some future decisions I have to make.


Getting back onto I-79 heading south as the snow swept across the road I cried pretty much the 100 miles driving back to Pittsburgh...for almost 30 years Suerk has taught me perspective on life as a child, a student on both sides of the Atlantic and he continues to give me perspective on life as an adult. I can't wait to see Suerk again...




JAMIE FINLAY '87




James Finlay | photographer


10 May 1982 -- The Day Before the London Marathon -- Time -- 3hr:5min