Class Note 1956
Issue
March - April 2026
Class Note 1956. Those of you who read the November/December column may recall my story about Tom, who has ALS. The second part of the story concerns suggestions for speaking with people such as Tom.
Most importantly, ask him about things in which he is interested. Tom had an overwhelming interest in country music. I knew nothing about this subject, so I did some investigation and learned about his favorite singers. This led to a description of the latest singer Tom had seen in concert a few months before we talked.
I tried to be attentive and treated him as an equal. See him as a person first, not someone with ALS; keep your tone warm and conversational. Don’t focus on his limitations. Avoid excessive sympathy. A little practice in dealing with people such as Tom is all you really need.
More from the poetic pen of Harry Nutting.
There is a famous old pub in Berlin,
Where they soak the broccoli in gin.
It’s so delicious,
But after several dishes,
The customers just sit there and grin.
I opened a hair salon in Bahrain,
All my friends said I was insane.
Turns out they were right,
For on opening night,
Not even one local woman came.
Word of the Day:dysania, a state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning. It was only when I got to Hanover that this difficulty became a part of my life. It has gotten progressively worse in the intervening decades. If any of you rise early and well slept, please send me copy.
H.L. Mencken wrote: “Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.”
An additional thought comes from John Adams. The following wisdom is carved above the fireplace in the White House State Dining Room: “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under its roof.” What a wonderful wish. It’s an eternal shame that its practice has fallen asunder.
With sadness I report the passing of Malcolm “Mac” E. Lambing Jr. and Richard “Dick” P. McClintock Jr., M.D.
—Chuck Woodhouse, 6 Glenbrook Way #159, Medway, MA 02053; (508) 202-2447; kirk8202@gmail.com
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Most importantly, ask him about things in which he is interested. Tom had an overwhelming interest in country music. I knew nothing about this subject, so I did some investigation and learned about his favorite singers. This led to a description of the latest singer Tom had seen in concert a few months before we talked.
I tried to be attentive and treated him as an equal. See him as a person first, not someone with ALS; keep your tone warm and conversational. Don’t focus on his limitations. Avoid excessive sympathy. A little practice in dealing with people such as Tom is all you really need.
More from the poetic pen of Harry Nutting.
There is a famous old pub in Berlin,
Where they soak the broccoli in gin.
It’s so delicious,
But after several dishes,
The customers just sit there and grin.
I opened a hair salon in Bahrain,
All my friends said I was insane.
Turns out they were right,
For on opening night,
Not even one local woman came.
Word of the Day:dysania, a state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning. It was only when I got to Hanover that this difficulty became a part of my life. It has gotten progressively worse in the intervening decades. If any of you rise early and well slept, please send me copy.
H.L. Mencken wrote: “Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.”
An additional thought comes from John Adams. The following wisdom is carved above the fireplace in the White House State Dining Room: “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under its roof.” What a wonderful wish. It’s an eternal shame that its practice has fallen asunder.
With sadness I report the passing of Malcolm “Mac” E. Lambing Jr. and Richard “Dick” P. McClintock Jr., M.D.
—Chuck Woodhouse, 6 Glenbrook Way #159, Medway, MA 02053; (508) 202-2447; kirk8202@gmail.com