MJ-Way

…I looked at the number on my beeper and I could tell it was from our receiving dock. With the new construction, our receiving dock was even smaller than before and I knew something must have come in for the Brush Building renovation project on the fourth floor. When I arrived I was greeted by our in house movers Dusty and Mike. They were already busy loading two rolls of carpeting on carts to be taken to the fourth floor. Ernie, the Receiving Department supervisor was happy to see me as well. He couldn’t believe how quick they were there to remove the rolls from his cramped space and take them to the Brush Building. He wanted to give me credit but I had to inform him it wasn’t me. Give them all the credit.

…They laughed when they saw me. “Oh look” they announced out loud, “it’s little-bit!” They had always teased me about my weight, my height, and compared to them, I did look like a hobbit. They believed I had a heroin problem, but when Dusty saw me smoking Kool cigarettes and drinking cold black coffee, he informed Mike it was a caffeine/nicotine addiction. “That’s why he rips through these buildings like the road runner.” I wanted to know why they thought I was a heroine addict? They informed me that most young white guys with long hair, who look like I do, are down here for the drugs. I knew what they were saying was somewhat true, but they weren’t just young white guys with long hair. The addicts I saw came in all nationalities, shapes and sizes. Some did look pretty gaunt, but I didn’t think I looked like that. Note to self: Don’t skip meals, and try to get more sunshine.

.. The carpeting was carted to the construction holding area on the fourth floor of the Brush Building. The hospital’s administration had decided that the terrazzo floors, which were the original floors, were a hazard to our patients, and staff. They were trying to minimize the injuries from slips and falls by putting carpeting over them. The Brush Building itself was designed by Albert Kahn. He was a well known architect and designer in Detroit. The terrazzo was unique in every room and corridor. The geometric designs laid out between the brass strip, coves and edging was a testament to the artisans of the time. They were beautiful pieces of art. However, over time, many had developed spider cracks and pitting. I could understand the decision to cover them. The hospital was hoping to look more like a nice hotel. The carpet would absorb the sound as well.

… As I was preparing to leave a young female patient had wondered into the area. She looked to be a cancer patient and I didn’t want to startle her. I asked, “can I assist you?” She stated, “I was just curious.” I was mad at myself for not closing the fire doors. The unit was left open when Mike and Daryl dropped off the carpeting. The unit hadn’t been cleaned in awhile and the dust and dirt was evident when all the furniture was removed. She looked at the terrazzo floors and commented how pretty they were. I had explained to her that they were badly damaged and the cost to repair them was more expensive than to cover them in carpeting. She was wheeling an IV pole and what I believed was probably medication attached to her right arm. I wondered how I could get her back to her unit diplomatically. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. Philippians 4:15-19

…After the old hospital debris was removed completely, the site was secured with fencing, the exposed facade of the Hudson building, and exposed entrances were secured as well. The site was now being prepared for what would be a new parking structure. That structure would have employee entrances to the center corridors of the Hudson building on the first and second floors only. Patients and visitors would use the first floor entrance to enter the hospital.

…The uniqueness of this medical center was that all the buildings were interconnected. You could practically walk city blocks throughout it and because of my experience as a courier, I knew how to navigate it without ever going outside. This was especially useful during the winter months. The next deconstruction/ construction project was scheduled for the Nursing Stations in the Brush Building. The design plan was to color code them with the Nursing Stations in the connected new Harper Hospital, Webber Building.

…I liked working on the 4th floor because of an employee lounge that was located behind the elevators in the Webber Building. A pop vending machine there always carried my favorite, “Mountain Dew.” I also got to see and speak with Margarite who seemed to be there when I had a break in my work load. I knew her when I worked as a courier for the labs. She was meticulous in her appearance but I had a feeling it was just her natural beauty. She wore her hair braided across the top, at which point it crowned into a tight pony tail behind her, and kept her hair out of her face exposing her high cheekbones. I had thought she could be a model.

..She was just as beautiful in the inside as she was on the outside. As a courier when I picked up specimens for her unit she would not only give me the needed paper work but would also leave a note for the Laboratory Technologist to call her for more instructions. Gwen my mentor had told me her boyfriend broke her heart and was a real loser. My conversations with her on my break always centered on where she grew up (on a farm in Monroe County), what she was eating that day ( usually yogurt she made herself), and my preposterous meal of peanut butter crackers and Mountain Dew (easily procured from the vending machines in the lounge).

…She just laughed and believed if I kept eating like that I would wither away. She would also always tease me about the young women here that seemed to be making passes at me and me being oblivious to it. I would usually just smile, say hello, and keep moving. I told her that my mentor (she knew who that was) had informed me after I had been caught leaving Newberry Hall( Nursing Students Residence) one early Saturday morning, I was to clean up my act immediately. I wouldn’t give up the student I had been visiting, and I professed my innocence. Lord knows there was no innocence in me but I maintained it anyways. She smiled and informed me that Gwen had told her about it.

…I let Margarite know that I was suspended for a week without pay, and with the DMC paying for my education, I didn’t want to mess it up now. Plus, when I left the labs to work for the Hospital Administration I had to give up my beeper, and I’m not giving my new beeper number to anyone. Though, I do wonder at times who is carrying my old beeper now, and how many calls they are getting? Curiosity is all. A story for another time I suppose, as I smiled back at her.

….She smiled and said to me most earnestly, “you don’t seem to be the marrying type. You seem driven, preoccupied, and the way you move through these buildings, you don’t stay long enough to speak to anyone.” I informed her they kept me busy checking on the contractors, and just then my beeper went off. “See, I got to go!” She shook her head and laughed, but her words had me thinking for sure. I thought to myself, “what is the marrying type?” Note to self: Next time I see Margarite, ask her who is the marrying type, in her eyes? I’m curious to know what she meant by that, and why she thought I wouldn’t be? My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. Matthew 28: 16-20

…Once the old hospital was vacated and the clinics, offices relocated, the demolition was scheduled. I had to make sure to be there. I wanted to see it and be part of the history. I got to watch with other team members from the parking lot across the street. The crane was in place and a large metal ball was attached to a heavy duty steel cable. I was so glad not to have class today and be part of this event. The crane in place, it raised the weighted ball to be in line with the center copula, the highest point of the old hospital, and with a force the bricked framed wooden structure would succumbed to, he swung it towards the building.

… The minute that weighted steel ball crashed into the center copula, my heart thumped hard in my chest! However, my amazement was even more intensified when a colony of bats flew out of the falling bricks and lumber. “Wow, Holy shit!!!” That is all I could say. Somebody grabbed my arm, others were laughing, and I was too busy looking to see where the colony was headed. They disappeared over the hospital…. The Facility Administrator was quick to point out that a colony of bats that large probably left a rather large pile of guano. I had no idea what he was talking about. The Nursing Supervisor informed me the pile he was speaking of was bat poop. No worries now because it was buried within the construction debris.

… I thanked God the wind was blowing at my back as the created dust cloud blew northward and dissipated. The Street, John R, was blocked between Willis and Brady, and a large bulldozer was scooping up the debris almost as fast as the building was crumbling from the smashing. Two large double tandem dump trucks were parked on John R and the bulldozer operator loaded them quickly. I could tell this operation wasn’t his first rodeo and he loaded those trucks in no time. As they left, another group of trucks pulled up, the smashing continued, and those trucks were filled. I was in total amazement. This was a well developed plan. Somebody really thought this one through.

…I was glad to be invited to watch this. The Facility Administrator asked me “what I thought of the process.” All I could say to him was, “it’s a lot of work.” He smiled and said, “when you bake a cake you have to crack some eggs.” I always remembered that and it stuck with me to this day. It was a foreshadowing of my 15 year career with the Detroit Medical Center. However, I didn’t know it at that time. When the demolition was completed, a tall fence was erected around the site, and the crew secured two large gates as well. They could be swung open when needed giving direct access to the site. They definitely knew where we were located in the heart of the city. Security was never an issue. The many attempts of disturbing that security was. My Life’s Story To Be Continued…… Proverbs 13: 14-20

…The meeting was everything I thought it would be. I was going to start with one of the hospitals first major projects and that was the removal of the old civil war hospital. I would be part of a team of both skilled trades personnel, managers, and administrators over seeing this endeavor. I would report to the Hospital Facilities Director when I arrived in the afternoon. He would be responsible for giving me a checklist of items that needed to be signed for when the contractors completed them. I was going to be paid a salary every two weeks based on 48 hours (24 hours a week), and bonus pay for any hours worked over 24 should the need arise. I really do believe they had my best interests at heart. They paid for and wanted me to continue school but they also wanted me to be part of their team. I felt very blessed, and still do to this day. It was a great experience, and opportunity.

… I had a nostalgic sadness to know that this gothic hospital, built and opened for the injured returning union soldiers in 1863, was going to be torn down. I was happy to find out that Ernie who I had befriended while working in the Central Processing Department was promoted to a Supervisors position. He had made sure all of the antique equipment that occupied the surgical theater was either sold or in a museum somewhere. I was happy when he informed me of this. I told him I was working on the demolition team and was somewhat torn between the history of the Hospital and the future expansion. He was all for the expansion. The Central Processing, Stores, Receiving, and main Pharmacy would all have new state of the art facilities when the expansion was completed.

.. There were plans for a new parking structure as well giving employees and patients direct safe access to the hospital. Also, new clinics and Doctor’s offices would ensure more patients to utilize the new services being offered them. I had to agree with his enthusiasm. If the medical center was to grow, changes were part of the process, and that to me was always more easily said then done. I would miss the old civil war hospital. I believe it gave the Detroit Medical Center its character. The French call it, “ambiance.” That ambiance was of value, I believed. Our graphic arts department did take a picture of the old hospital and for awhile that enlarged photograph was displayed on a wall in the Brush Building lobby. It just wasn’t the same to me.

… Then as what only could happen in our special urban environment, a group of idiots believed they could pass themselves off as a legitimate moving company. They attempted to remove all of the civil war furniture, most of it dated from 1863, especially built for the hospital. It was still being used in the clinics. Oak chairs, cabinets with beveled crystal glass in lays, the hardware, beautiful polished brass, they loaded it all into a moving truck. Once they were finished they were quickly arrested, and prosecuted. The medical center didn’t want to have to move the furniture twice.

…Maintenance staff drove the truck to our warehouse where it was unloaded and the furniture safely stored. I learned a valuable lesson that day from my friend, now supervisor, in the Central Processing Department, Ernie. The management of the medical center knew what they were up against in this urban environment and made it work to the hospitals advantage. This would not be the first time something like this happened at the medical center and it for sure would not be the last. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued… Mathew 8: 1-2 & John 3:-16

… It wasn’t long before I was called to a meeting with the Director of Hospital Facilities, the Hospital Project Administrator, and the General Manager who worked for a private contractor responsible for all medical center renovation and new construction. Gwen was not kidding. After they formally introduced themselves, the Director of Hospital Facilities opened with a proposal. The hospital administration wanted someone to follow up on the construction projects and report on what has been completed to date. Since many of the contractors were working through the night, they needed someone to follow up with them, and report back any problems encountered that would deter completion. They also informed me I would be the one to schedule the areas to be cleaned and ready for occupancy by working with the Environmental Service night manager.

…..I would also be working with the skilled trades personnel, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters getting their “signoffs” as projects were completed. That information would be left with the General Manager and the Director of Hospital Facilities on a nightly basis. They understood I was pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree and my work schedule would be based on my class offerings. They were willing to work with me on that. “Was I interested?” This was a chance of a lifetime and I knew it. I was going to play a part in the growth of the Detroit Medical Center while I was still an undergraduate student at Oakland University. I let them know I was very interested. I also understood I’d have to work a flexible schedule. They understood my need to be in class to meet degree requirements by passing those classes as well. I would meet with them again.

… That meeting would be with our Personnel Manager, The Director of New Facilities Construction, and the Vice-President of Harper-Grace Hospitals. They told me the job was a good opportunity and they didn’t want to lose me. They thought other employers were interested in employing me as well. I was flattered, but still naive, and wondered what they meant by that? What other employers? I thought to my self, who has times for other employers? I was very excited and looked forward to our next meeting. In the days ahead that’s all I could think of. I had to refocus. School!!!! I had to stay on top of four classes worth of home work, papers due, and lecture notes to decipher.

…Exams were also coming up in all of my undergraduate classes. They were extremely important. They were all the classes required for my major in Public Administration and Public Policy. This was also my first full semester at Oakland University. This I thought would determine my career path and if I should pursue Law School. I had a lot riding on these four classes. I was even happier as I later found out I not only passed all of the exams with an A average, but I was now on the Deans list for academic honors. I had a 3.80 GPA. All I could think off was thank you “Jesus.” My prayers for continued guidance were being answered. This was a new world for me, and I wouldn’t be lying by saying at times I had felt very overwhelmed. All I could think of at those stressed moments was how nice it was camping in Canada, fishing for salmon, and driving on the open Canadian highway with music playing on my cars stereo. Hebrews 10: 1-10

…The summer celebrations were over and I was able to finish my Liberal Arts Degree from Macomb Community College in the Fall semester of 1976. I was accepted and enrolled at Walsh College of Business in 1977. I did well at the College taking classes in Marketing, Communications, Statistics, and Economics, but after a year I decided to enroll at Oakland University. I would complete my degree requirements and serve an internship. I enjoyed Walsh College but I wanted to pursue a degree in Public Administration and Public Policy. At that time, I was thinking about going to Law School after completing my Bachelors degree. All of my classes transferred to Oakland University from the Community College and Walsh College. I was happy about that. At the same time I had made the decision to go to Oakland University I was approached by Gwen. She needed to speak with me and wanted us to have lunch together. I made sure to make that appointment.

…I met here in the Grace Hospital cafeteria. The food there was always home made and I could get a meal that would literally last me all day for under a $1.25. If I wanted home made ice cream I would have to pay .25 cents for a large scoop. I didn’t choose the ice cream today but Gwen did. She always looked happy to see me and wanted to know how school was going. I let her know I had enrolled in Oakland University after spending a couple of semesters at Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration. My plans were to complete a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy. If my grades were high enough, and I stayed motivated, I would pursue Wayne State University Law School. She just seemed glad to hear this and smiled.

…She then informed me that that is why she wanted to meet with me today. Harper and Grace Hospitals had officially merged. Grace Hospital would be closed and demolished making way for a professional office building and an ancillary surgery center or better known as “same day surgery.” Wow, big plans I thought out loud. She shook her head and proceeded to inform me that the Administration of the Hospital wants to include me in their plans. She had a general idea of what they are looking for me to do, but would rather I hear it from them. She believed my work schedule would be flexible enough for me to continue my studies, give me a ton of experience, and a nice raise in salary as well. I was really surprised. “Are you interested?” She couldn’t keep from laughing. “You know I am,” I replied smiling. “A formal offer will be made at a later date, and for now,” she insisted, “let’s enjoy our lunch.” My world was about to change immensely. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued… 2 Corinthians 12:9

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18mnQRoD9W

… I like to fish. I began as a very young boy with my father, through my teen years with friends, their families, my college days, right up until the present. You can say fishing is an obsession for me. A real addiction. The tug on my fishing line the narcotic. My adrenalin rushes when that happens and the endorphins flood my brain. One of my high schoolfriends family had property in Auburn, Ontario. It was located on the Maitland River. One of the best fishing rivers I had the chance to fish on in Canada. The mouth of the river was located in Goderich, Ontario some 11 miles from where we would fish and swim during the summer in Auburn. The docks in Goderich were loaded with commercial fishing tugs much like the one pictured above. I mention this only to remember that I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of one Captain MacKay. He saw me fishing at one of the docks and took an interest in my fishing technique.

…He couldn’t stop laughing. He informed me that if I thought I was going to catch salmon that way I needed to change what I was doing. I was all ears. He reached into a box he had on his tug and informed me the fishing lure he brought out and now held in his hand was called “A Little Cleo.” It was a pretty lure. It was stainless steel with a sharp stainless steel treble hook attached and on one side it had a dark green streak. He said, “this particular lure could hook me a Co Ho Salmon if I knew how, where and when to use it.” I was once again all ears and it seemed the only thing I did right today was run into a fisherman, who was also a commercial fishing captain, and with his help he had me fishing in the mouth of the Maitland River as it emptied into Lake Huron for Co Ho Salmon.

…I was impressed that he was willing to show me what to do and how to maneuver the lure on my fishing line as I cast it and retrieved it. It was a lesson I never forgot and an experience that I would spend the autumn months doing on a regular basis. I would see salmon jumping out of the water not far from where I was standing and wouldn’t quit casting until I hooked one. The fight was memorable and fresh salmon unbelievable. That’s why on a day we were celebrating our countries bicentennial on the Detroit River, The Scottish festival, sponsored by the Society of Saint Andrew-Detroit, I was shocked to see a fishing trawler marked Goderich, Ontario and looking very much like Captain MacKay’s boat docking along side of the Detroit River.

.. I recognized some of his crew and wondered if he had made the trip as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see him and he was quick to recognize me. I welcomed him to Detroit and he laughed saying “I think you went to far to fish for salmon.” I smiled and thought wow he remembers and I had to tell him I still have the Little Cleo fishing lure he gave me. It was too valuable to lose but I used it to buy many others that I have lost fishing for salmon. “Then your doing it right,” he quipped. “Where can I get a cold beer and a whiskey,” he asked and I pointed to the tents. He shook my hand saying “It was good seeing you kid but I got a thirst to quench.” He marched off to the tents and his crew was quick to follow all waving goodbye. They were on a mission. All I could think of was the world is much smaller than I thought. Ephesians 5:20

This is Captain T. I have fished with this Captain for at least the past 15 years. We continue to be good friends and retired prison teachers. We fish on one of Michigan’s blue water rivers. He’s showing his heritage and is proud of it. He’s not a bad fisherman either.

… I truly enjoyed coming down town to the J.L. Hudson Department store. I was a five foot- six inch tall, 120 lb. speck, in what could only be best described as America’s melting pot. This was the place to be if getting lost in the crowd was your cup of tea. It definitely was mine. The Downtown Detroit Days (DDD) being displayed on banners attached to light posts ensured large crowds for me to disappear into. The crowds would make their way to the department stores who offered large discounts on just about everything they sold. Today I would be headed to J.L.Hudson’s bargain basement. It was a store within a store. The employees always seemed so nice, and they went out of their way to help me. I must of had a face of bewilderment because I always seemed to get the attention of some young but very pretty sales women. I found my way to the bargain basement and was immediately approached by a young sales woman.

….She wanted to know how could she be of assistance, and I was immediately dumb struck. She was beautiful. I found myself awestruck but I remembered what I came here for and I informed her I needed tennis shoes. She smiled, and told me I came to the right place because of the Downtown Detroit Days discount I could get a pair of tennis shoes for five dollars. I was really surprised. She pointed to where I needed to go and as I looked in that direction I saw a large circular bin full of Nike tennis shoes. When I turned around to thank her, she was gone, and I was astonished she disappeared that fast. For a minute my curiosity was piqued, I thought I should go see where she went, but I remembered I needed to accomplish what I came for. I still had to catch the bus back to work.

…I picked out 3 pairs off tennis shoes, red, white, and blue. I would save two for work and one pair for the YMCA. I learned to play handball at the young man’s Business Club there, and got to be pretty good at it. On my way to the cashier I found a t-shirt that was not only a celebration of our nations bicentennial but also of Detroit’s 275th anniversary as a city. The French Fleur 1701- Detroit 1976 with the iconic “Spirit of Detroit” 275 years and our American Flag 200 bicentennial emblazoned on the front caught my eye immediately. It too, with the Detroit Discount Days, was only five dollars. I was able to cash out for just $20.00 and .80 cents with tax. Mission accomplished. I had to get back to work with half an hour to go, and was lucky enough to catch the north bound Woodward bus as I exited the department store. I rode the bus back to the medical center for a quarter. Those days are gone but the memories are priceless. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued … Proverbs 30: 1-9, John 1: 1-14

I could go from one end of the Detroit Medical Center, starting at MacLaughlin Hall, walking through the Old Civil War Harper Hospital, all the way to the the front door of the old Grace Hospital in a matter of minutes. I was becoming very familiar with all of the medical centers ancillary clinics and laboratories. I especially enjoyed locating the often undisclosed laboratories of the researchers in the houses that encircled Wayne State University. The medical centers marquee would be located on the address which assured me I had located the laboratory. I enjoyed going to these laboratories because they were often located in the Victorian styled homes that bordered the college campus, and the researchers always seemed to be very happy to see me.

… Even though I was bringing them work, they seemed very eager, and couldn’t wait to see what I was bringing. I would first, hand them the paper work which often explained what they needed to test the specimen for, how the specimen was prepared, and then the specimen. The specimen was kept in a separate container that looked like a lunch box. I let them open the box and remove the specimen. I made sure to wash my hands while they placed the specimen under a hood vent behind a glassed in area. They would inform me when to come back for the written report. They would also contact the requesting Physician and the Chief of Pathology of their findings before the report was written. They seemed so organized and I never had to worry about their paperwork. It was obvious they knew what they were doing, and enjoyed doing it.

…The extra trips that I made to these laboratories took a wear on my shoes. The other messengers had told me early on that I could go to” Hudson’s Bargain Basement” and by all kinds of Nike tennis shoes for under $10.00 a pair. They said they were replacing their shoes about once a month, and they weren’t kidding. I used a pedometer to gauge how many steps/miles I was completing in a day and it easily equated to 10 to 15 miles. That was not counting the trips made to the labs on the Wayne State University campus. So one afternoon on my lunch hour I decided to make the trip to J.L. Hudson downtown. I caught the Woodward bus for twenty five cents. At 11:30 am the bus was loaded and sometimes I would have to stand until seats were vacated. It never seemed very long before we would arrive at the J.L. Hudson department store. It looked like half of the bus patrons exited here as well….. MY LIFE’S JOURNEY TO BE CONTINUED…. Romans 15:5-7

…The Council of Three Fires were an alliance of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi (Anishinaabe) nations. They traded with the French explorers, intermarried, and found shelter at Fort Pontchartrain. They fought along side of the French Military battling the Sioux Indians who were both their enemies. I would see the same camaraderie some 275 years later at the Detroit Medical Center as our nation celebrated its bicentennial. The Detroit Medical Center was a city within a city. That is the best way I could describe it. The hospitals and clinics that made up the medical center were also connected by tunnels underground. In inclement weather, patients and staff could utilize them to traverse the medical complex.

…..I got very familiar with the medical center and all of its buildings. I would pick up specimens and deliver lab reports to all of the clinics, hospital nursing stations, and laboratories. I got to meet so many different people and couldn’t believe how friendly they were. They were mostly scientists, doctors, nurses, and students. Also, some were administrators, managers, and supervisors. The freedom I experienced while working as a messenger for the laboratories enabled me to see how the hospital system worked, and who was directing the everyday operations. There was a very rich history here and I was very glad to be a part of it. Everyone I came in contact with wanted to know all about me .These were the questions they primarily asked: Where I was studying? What was I studying? What subjects of study was I interested in?

…I had to laugh because they all seemed to give me advice on their particular field of study and hoped I would find that particular field as interesting as they did. I became quite the politician as I didn’t want to offend anyone by picking a particular area. I would point out I was still completing my first two years, Liberal Arts, and hadn’t picked a major yet. I also couldn’t believe all the different nationalities of people I was meeting.

… The Detroit Medical Center was definitely a melting pot. I met scientists from the Eastern Block who fled communism, the middle east who fled persecution from dictatorships, Europeans who had dual citizenships but preferred working in the USA because of lower taxes. America, Africa, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, and many other countries were represented by the employees working here as well. Finally, the students who were enrolled in the schools of nursing, and Wayne State University made the melting pot complete. All seeking the same thing: wisdom and opportunity. My Life’s Journey TO BE CONTINUED Ephesians 2:1-9