I remember

By Sr. Rosemarie Donovan, O.L.M.
May/June 2010

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(Credit: Suzanne Marshall, O.L.M.)
Theodore dances with Iorshee, a paraplegic, at a party celebrating Theodore’s retirement after 40 years of service to the St. Joseph Rehab Centre and to Our Lady’s Missionaries in ministry there. Nigeria.

Shortly, before returning to Canada I attended a retirement party for our faithful driver of 40 years. Theodore had played a prominent role in the activities of our various ministries. For the past 20 years he had served at St. Joseph Rehab Centre driving people to their physio treatments, surgical appointments, and so on.

He is an Igbo from Igbo land and our staff members dressed him that evening in full traditional Tiv garb: a distinguished honour for anyone from outside their Tiv tribe. Supper (“chop” in pigeon English) followed, along with great music, dancing, and fun.

One staff person, Iorshee, teacher of the Knitting Workshop and a paraplegic, abandoned his wheelchair and made his way to the centre of the floor. There he announced his wish to dance for Theodore. The rhythmical tempo of his movements was electrifying. Finally, Theodore, standing tall, took Iorshee’s hands and joined him in the dance. When Theodore sat down, Iorshee manoeuvred himself over to him, took off his watch and placed it on Theodore’s wrist saying, “I never want you to forget us.”

A modern parable?

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