Community Life

When we moved to Abidjan, we had to establish delivery of special formulas for Aileen from the United States. They were expensive and hard to get in Abidjan, requiring customs clearance. Every night we inserted a nasal-gastric tube to deliver this formula and to assure Aileen’s development. We heard that the period up to puberty was the most difficult time for GSD, and that after puberty things became easier. Aileen’s brother appeared after one year, and the family was busy and active. We lived in in a wonderful and close-knit community. Thirty-five years later I visited Abidjan for work, and many of our friends were still there. In one picture you see Mary Tartaglia, who Mauro met on pilgrimage. Before leaving, he told us that he planned to meet his wife on pilgrimage. We wished him good luck– but he didn’t need it. Mary stayed with us before the marriage and helped with Aileen. Ranzie Mensah and Jean-Christophe Casu were also close, and often stayed with us. One day I met Ranzie on the steps leading up to the Shrine of the Bab. She cries out: “Gary???” Svitlana looks at us, and can’t understand what is happening. I have told her often that I have other lives and she needs to met all the parts.