Mom and Dad Gentry came to town for Graduation weekend; the weather was warm and sunny so we took full advantage and took a day trip to Rockport, MA. Not really sure why we have never been to this adorable town before, but so glad we finally discovered it. Have I told you how many wonderful places there are on the East Coast?
I cannot believe how lucky I am to have these two handsome lads in my life! Look how cute they are!
Me and Momma G taking in the beautiful scenery.
We met up with our pals the Spencer-Weathers and Ryan's folks as well. We cannot believe our buddies are moving in a month. We are going to miss them terribly, so much so that I cant even blog about it right now.
Two Silly Monkeys
This little boy sure loves his Grandma and Grandpa Gentry!
Gotta love the new hat.
Rockport was a lovely town right on the water with all the New England shops you could want, including ice cream, fudge, taffy, t-shirts, jewelry and art. It is just an hour away from Boston; I recommend anyone looking for something to do for a day to take a trip, you wont be disappointed.
Manyang 'Andrew' Mayiik (right) recites the Pledge of Allegiance at a ceremony in his honor on Tuesday at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home (CJNH) - a celebration that marked him successfully becoming an American citizen. One of the Lost Boys of Sudan that relocated to Chelsea about 10 years ago, Mayiik, with the help of staff and residents, persevered through sickness to gain his citizenship.
As one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Manyang ‘Andrew’ Mayiik of Chelsea has made numerous incredible journeys in his lifetime.
Some have been dangerous – fleeing quickly to avoid murderous government forces.
Some were nearly impossible, involving a trek of thousands of miles on foot across the African bush.
Some journeys have been exciting, such as heading to the TD Garden to be recognized by the Boston Celtics several years ago.
Some journeys have been new, like when he and several other young men (Lost Boys) from Sudan resettled in Chelsea about 10 years ago.
But the most recent and most joyful journey for Mayiik has been his quest for U.S. Citizenship. That quest has been complicated by timing and sickness. However, with extreme determination and help from residents and staff at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home (CJNH) on Lafayette Avenue, Mayiik successfully completed his citizenship journey on May 7th, celebrating the accomplishment with the entire home this Tuesday.
“You did it Manyang,” said one resident who called herself Lady Ga Ga, while giving him the double thumbs up sign. “This is great.”
As Jim Honohan and Jack Zimmerman of the Activities Committee sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ ‘God Bless America,’ and led everyone in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ on Tuesday afternoon, Mayiik said he was thankful to have reached his goal.
“I am very happy,” said Mayiik. “It is a joy, just as happy as in January 2011 when we (southern Sudan) got our independence. I am an American now. I have to thank everyone here, and the interviewer from the government. He was a good guy too. Everyone was very helpful. All the people here were so happy for me. They really do love me.”
Administrators of the home indicated that Mayiik came to CJNH in 2011 after learning that he had a rare form of spinal cancer. After learning of the debilitating condition, Mayiik chose hospice care from the Dr. Matthew Schwartz Hospice at CJNH – with his hospice social worker being Laci Gentry.
Despite that setback, Mayiik told everyone that he wanted to continue his quest for citizenship – which he was already working on.
When his eyesight began to decline, the CJNH community rallied to help him read and answer test questions orally.
When his right arm started to fail him, making writing difficult, again staff and residents rallied around him to help.
In fact, administrators said his positive attitude became infectious and motivated the entire facility.
By his test date on May 7th, everyone was cheering for him to pass, which he did.
At the celebration, Administrator Phil Sher said they have marveled at Mayiik’s positive attitude not only thorugh his illness, but also through his previous experiences in the Sudan.
“I have known Manyang for a number of months now and I’ve been astounded by his attitude towards life,” said Sher. “Based on his experiences and those that the Lost Boys of Sudan have had, this is inspiring. I’ve heard stories that on a moment’s notice, whole villages had to literally pick up and run for their lives. Literally run away within minutes. A lot of them didn’t make it. They were killed. He survived and he is so happy despite everything. He definitely inspires me and the entire facility.”
Mayiik told the Record he left the Sudan nine years ago and was sponsored by the United Nations as a refugee.
He came straight to Chelsea at the age of 21, along with a number of the other Lost Boys – all of whom still stay in contact and many of whom were present for Mayiik’s celebration on Tuesday.
While many of the Lost Boys pursued an education, Mayiik set off to work, landing a job at the Hilton Hotel in Boston. An avid basketball fan, he follows the Celtics and knows everything about former Sudanese player Manute Bol.
“I would love to have the Celtics come here,” he said. “I met them once and would love to see them again.”
The Lost Boys was a term given to orphan boys from Southern Sudan by aid workers in African refugee camps. Their story began during the second civil war in Sudan, which spanned from 1983 to 2005. The bloody war featured inhumane attacks by the Sudanese government on Christian villages in the southern region, populated mostly by the Denka Tribe. More than 2 million were estimated to have been killed during the war.
However, some 20,000 young men who had fled from their villages or were away from the village tending to cattle survived the slaughter. Many of them fled thousands of miles on foot from Southern Sudan to Ethiopia, while others found refuge at camps in other far-flung African countries.
In the late 1990s, the U.S. sponsored a relocation program for the Lost Boys in America, and a foundation paid for their schooling once they arrived. The first Lost Boys arrived in 38 American cities around 2000, with the largest number residing in Omaha. However, numerous Lost Boys also located in Chelsea – and like Mayiik – still reside here.
“When I was in Africa, there was a lot of fighting and the government killed people too,” said Mayiik. “When we got here, we started over, but those at home kept fighting for their freedom. The happiest day was January 2011 when they became independent. We were happy here too. Now, I am an American citizen and my home is free too. I am happy.”
Judging from the response at the CJNH, that happiness is spreading rapidly.
After being diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer in 2011, Manyang Mayiik began to study for his US citizenship exam. On May 7, he passed the test, and his dream became a reality.
Mayiik, 31, celebrated his new citizenship Tuesday at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, where he receives care.
“He was pretty proud; it’s been such a long held dream of his,’’ said Sondria Berman, the Chelsea Jewish Foundation’s director of communications. “For him to do it now means even more to him than before his diagnosis. It’s really pretty inspiring.’’
Berman said Mayiik moved to the United States more than a decade ago amid civil war in his native Sudan. One of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,’’ a name given to thousands of youths who were displaced during that country’s second civil war, Mayiik, she said, always dreamed of becoming an American citizen.
“It was a celebration for him,’’ Berman said. “There was a concert in honor of Manyang and cake and ice cream. But, it’s more about kind words honoring his achievement and celebrating his citizenship with everybody else he lives with.’’
At the age of 20, Mayiik, moved to Chelsea, where he shared an apartment with friends and worked as a housekeeping manager for a local hotel, Berman said. Shortly after his diagnosis in 2011, Mayiik moved into the nursing home and elected hospice care at the Dr. Matthew S. Shwartz Hospice.
After moving into hospice, Mayiik began studying for his citizenship exam with the help of the home’s staff. Despite declining eyesight and limited use of his right arm, he was able to listen to study material on audio tape and practice oral questions.
After passing the exam, Mayiik, decked out in New England Patriots gear, was sworn in as a citizen on the same day at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in Boston.
“We are so proud of Manyang for never giving up on his dream, and for facing each and every day with hope, courage, and fortitude,’’ Laci Gentry, social work and bereavement coordinator for the Dr. Shwartz hospice, said in a statement.
Mayiik is “thrilled to have his citizenship at a time when it means the most,’’ the nursing home said in a statement.
My Dad turned 50 years old on May 11, and we wanted to tell him how cool we think he is by sporting an awesome mustache just like him. As soon as my dad could grow facial hair he did; I have NEVER seen him without a mustache.
CHEERS dad! Today is the day of the "Bill-stache!"
People often tell me it takes a special person to work in hospice, I think that is true. I also feel like working in hospice is one of the most special places a person can work. Sometimes I think it sounds weird to say that I love my job when talking about working with people who are dying, but it is true, I love my job. I love the people I get to meet, the stories I get to hear, the precious time I get to spend with families as they say goodbye to their loved ones. Even though I know people a short time, it is such a vulnerable time in their lives that often I get quite close to people.
I have been working with the most amazing individuals lately.
I am working with a 93 year old woman who is terminally ill, she is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She has an optimistic attitude about everything, even about dying; she tells me this is just a gift that God gave her. I was brought to tears talking to her about her life. She talked about her sweet husband who died at age 50 of a heart attack, they were married for just 26 years. She never remarried. As she talked about her husband who she had been without for 40+ years I couldn't believe the love she still had for him and how highly she talked of their time together. She discussed all his wonderful qualities and how good he was to her. Even though she had been with him for only a small portion of her life, you could tell how much joy having found true love in life had brought her. I reflected to my sweet husband who is truly the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I too am grateful to have found true love. As she spoke about her husband, I could relate to her on so many levels and it made me realize how lucky I am to have such an incredible companion in life. I hope I can always value my time with him and realize how special it is well into my 90's.
This same woman talked about what a feminist she was and how she loved to work. She worked until she had children at 27 years, which was late for her generation, and she loved it. When her children were in school she wanted to go back to work but her husband didn't want her to. He felt that her working would make him look bad; that he couldn't take care of his family. She stated this was the only time she went against his will and she went to work anyway. She truly was a feminist in her day, she worked because she loved to! I can relate to this as well, I just really love my job and I love to work. I love my time being a mother as well, but I really love what I do for a career and for me I am happy to balance the two to find happiness in life, just as this sweet woman did.
I have also been working with a woman who passed at 105 years. She was alert and oriented until the end of her life. She was sweet and pleasant and full of spunk. She joined a bowling league when she was 80 years old and played for 18 years! Unbelievable, right? What a lesson in life to know that it is NEVER too late to do anything or try something new. No age is too old to try something new. I hope I can always follow my dreams and have the spunk and sweetness that this woman did.
I am currently working with a patient who is the same age I am. This has truly been difficult for me. Working with older individuals is much easier, as they have lived life and had many experiences and dying is the next step in their journey. Working with someone who is my same age is terrible, it feels that he is being cheated out of so much. He is a sweet young man who is a refugee in our country, who has not had a great life and has been separated from his family for well over 20 years. I am humbled to work with him. Every time I think of him I cant help but count my many blessings. I have had such a good life; I have such wonderful family and friends. I have never gone without. He is full of faith and his belief in God gets him through these difficult times. He has really been declining as of late and it has been difficult for me. We have become close, good friends, and now when I visit him I find myself fighting back tears. He tells me how he talks to his mother on the phone as she cries to hear the condition he is in; it pains him that he can not be near her when he needs her most. I am not sure why God gives some so much and others so much trial and hardship, it hardly seems fair. I am grateful to know my dear friend, he strengthens me and helps me have faith. He is an example of strength and courage. I am lucky to know him and grateful to be on this journey with him. I am grateful that when I think of him I cannot be anything but grateful and blessed for the life I have, that is abundant with love, joy, freedom and opportunity.
I could go on about the amazing families that care for their parents with dementia, the funny things some of my patients say, or other sweet stories about things my patients have accomplished in their lives, but I wont. I just wanted to get these stories down, as it has been an emotional month at work and I needed to get my love and gratitude for what I do, and for the people I get to meet written down.
Christian presented at his first theory conference this weekend at Connecticut College in New London, CT. It was the the New England Conference of Music Theorists (or something close to that). The school was footing the bill for the hotel, and it was close to beautiful Mystic, CT. Berke and I tagged along and had a fun weekend getaway. While Daddy was away, Mommy and Berkeley played.
Christian was able to present on one of his chapters from his thesis and from what I hear, it went very well. He found the conference very good for networking and hopes to present at more theory conferences soon.
Friday we headed to beautiful Mystic Seaport where they have recreated an old seaport town from the 19th Century with shops, boats and fun activities. It was absolutely beautiful!
It's clear that there is much more to do "on" season, after May, but it was still a lot of fun and very interesting.
Here is Berke on an old whaling boat, he is having loads of fun until he spots a little bug (see the little tiny black speck on the seat below) and starts pointing at me and crying, "I need you to pick me up!" He is TERRIFIED of bugs; to be honest he is afraid of a lot of things.
They had a fun Children's Museum and a fun park full of little ships; Berke called it the "Pirate Ship Park."
Later that night Berke and I headed to the FAMOUS Mystic Pizza (where the movie with Julia Roberts was filmed); the pizza was really good!
Saturday was spent at the Mystic Aquarium.
We had to drop off Christian at his conference early, so we were one of the first people at the Aquarium which was amazing. We got to see many of the animals be fed and had some fun one on one interaction with this Beluga Whale before the crowds arrived. This little whale was so full of personality and super interested in people. He took an immediate interest in Berkeley; he saw him, then got down on his level and opened his mouth as if he was trying to communicate with my little man. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.
We got to see the Sea Lions and the penguins get their breakfast and do a few little tricks.
This aquarium was wonderful! It had a lot to see outside and then a bunch of cool fishtanks inside.
They had a sting ray touch tank, a shark touch tank, a cool exhibit on jelly fish which Berke loved. They have a very active octopus who puts on a good show. They also had a fun sea lion show which we enjoyed.
Berke was more than thrilled to find Nemo and Marlin and even Dori on our adventure. This kid LOVES Nemo!
We had a nice rest after a fun morning at the Aquarium and then we picked up daddy and headed to downtown Mystic for dinner and Ice Cream. Berke was dressed like this but with his vans on and a lady came up and asked if her boyfriend could take a picture with Berke because they were wearing the same outfit. Everyone in their group was cracking up; you could tell the boyfriend was mortified to have the same style as a 3 year old and begged us to walk quickly away to spare him any further embarrassment.
I highly recommend the adorable town of Mystic, CT to all of my New England friends. It is an adorable summer town with fun things to see and do. I am not sure how this fun place was never on my radar, but I am glad it is now!
