[Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

[W. J.]

Dear Colleagues,
It's delightful to hear such a wonderful story about your visit with Fred.
After more than a year of trying unsuccessfully to track him down, I felt very 
blessed to be able to visit with Fred again at the Mathews Symposium, where he 
was in great spirits and fine form--holding forth late into the evening, as 
always, in the bar, and, of course, telling stories as only Fred could tell. Not 
to mention scooping up plates of nachos, etc. Fred was and still is so very, 
very Fred, even after losing sixty pounds that he had somehow managed to 
accumulate over the years--as do many of us, I believe.

I want you all to know how much I treasure the rare opportunities I have to 
visit with each of you once again. The Methodists open every annual conference 
by singing "And are we yet alive, and see each other's face?" And it's like a 
miracle to have the privilege of another visit, knowing that this opportunity 
will probably be the last. I certainly had that awareness in visiting with 
Bishop Jim at the Symposium. I wasn't conscious of it in visiting with Sandra 
and Fred. That the Mystery of our finitude flows through our lives in such very 
mysterious ways is a great wonder to behold.

Grace and Peace are yours,
Marshall
 




________________________________
From: "PSchrijnen at aol.com" <PSchrijnen at aol.com>
To: oe at wedgeblade.net
Sent: Mon, March 7, 2011 1:58:21 AM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Visit with Fred Buss

Thanks Jack, 
 
It is good to hear that such a gathering took place: that the group was  able to 
visit Fred and Ann, and that he was able to host you. I have been on the  phone 
with him regularly over the last 6-7 months and it has been quite a ride. 

 
Warm regards,
 
Paul
 
In a message dated 07/03/2011 03:11:16 GMT Standard Time, icabombay at igc.org  
writes:
Dear    Colleagues,
>
>I just wanted to share with you a little bit of our visit    with Fred.  George 
>Walters, Judy & Bob Fishel and Judy and myself    visited Fred at his care 
>center this afternoon.  We had lunch with Ann,    his "significant other" and 
>then around 3 PM we all arrived to see Fred in his    wheelchair waiting for us 
>just outside the small library. i didn't know what    do expect, knowing he was 
>suffering from an infection and other complications    from his treatment for 
>his cancer.  We were told by Ann that he had lost    60 pounds.  My first look 
>at him caused me to grin and rush out to greet    him.  It was a thin, but 
>smiling Fred, and if I squinted I could see the    young man who taught my RS-I 
>in 1966.  We  had a wonderful time with    him!  Four two hours we talked and 
>told stories.  He wanted to know    what happened in Mexico since he and Ann had 
>originally planned to be    there.  Although he occasionally struggled go get 
>the right word out,    most of the time was spent enjoying the Fred we all so 
>lovingly 
>
>remember.  He was thrilled by all of us being there and we were    thrilled to 
>be in his presence.  George presented him with the two    volumes of the 
>December DC Symposium on our legacy.  Fred had been there    and was delighted 
>to get them.  George printed out a copy on the library    computer there of one 
>of the pictures of Fred talking to Lindsey and Priscilla    at the Symposium.    
>He will get him a color copy    later.
>
>After two hours of great interchange and laughter we called Joe    Thomas and we 
>all shared greetings and laughter.  Joe is coming to see    Fred on the 18th.   
>It became clear that we had reached his limits    of strength and we said our 
>goodbyes.  But one last thing Fred wanted to    do, he stood up from his 
>wheelchair to say goodbye to each of us with a    hug.  You can't imagine what 
>it took for him to do that, it was so    touching and meaningful.  But Fred was 
>determined to do it, and he    did.
>
>I don't want to comment or speculate on his illness and his    future.  Let's 
>just say it is limited.  But Fred is living his life    and dying his death in a 
>way that does us all proud.  So if your travels    take you anywhere near 
>Boynton Beach drop in and get your soul    refreshed.  Fred has always bathed us 
>in his uniqueness and so he does    even today.  I simply want to say Thank You 
>Fred, it is an honor and    profound privilege to have served this world with 
>you.
>
>Grace &    Peace,
>
>Jack
>_______________________________________________
>OE    mailing    list
>OE at wedgeblade.net
>http://wedgeblade.net/mailman/listinfo/oe_wedgeblade.net
> 
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