Monday, 23 March 1970
Up about 8:30. A busy morning; made several phone calls re: Alan and the April 18 drug program. Shaved; worked on getting the stencil cut for the drug program bulletin inserts. About 12:15 Bonnie and I left the house at 12:15. Virginia Bate stayed with Debbie. I left Bonnie at the hospital, dropped in to see Alan, then left for the airport. Got to Logan just about the time the plane was landing. Had to wait only about 5 minutes to get Mr. Federick. We then drove back to Thurston Point. I described Alan and the last ½ year as much as possible. We were back to Alan’s about 2:30. They had a chance to greet one another—then it was decided that his father + I should go get food. We drove to the Stop + Shop—were back by 4 o’clock. I made phone calls—Alan + his father talked. About 4:20 a phone call came as expected from Mrs. Federick. After this was completed Alan broke down, wept in his father’s arms—a very sad scene. I took Mr. Federick to the hospital to have a shot (his monthly shot fell due today). We picked up Bonnie—then left Mr. Federick at Alan’s—came home, took Virginia home, fixed supper, watched CBS news, dozed, had supper. Bonnie went to rehearsal; I finished stencil; worked on Jeremiah—put a few thoughts in order; bathed about 11; OB, Θ+ , LO –
Tuesday, 24 March 1970
Up about 9:00. Had breakfast. My main concern for the day was to get the Jeremiah lecture ready. So I spent the morning on this. Just before 11:00 I got a call from Don McGaw confirming whether or not he was to have lunch with Alan’s father—I said yes. I continued with the lecture. Bonnie + I had lunch, I shaved—she began feeding Debbie, then had to leave for work. While I was working in the kitchen, Don McGaw walked in with Alan’s father. We had a conference—I think that spending the night with Alan—and really seeing his condition—was a shattering experience for the father. We called Murray Sachs, because Mr. Federick wanted to see him; so Don drove him to Brandeis and back. I spent the afternoon on the lecture—then about 4:30 began preparing supper, since I expected Don back. He came in a few minutes after six—had supper with us—we conferred more on Alan. Then Don had to get on back to Medford. After 7:00 I prepared to leave for St. Mary’s. The lecture went well; Bonnie + I stayed around afterwards chatting with Ed Nutting + the Bamforths. Picked up Debbie from Drue, then headed on home. I then got to work typing the stencil for Easter letter + Wesley Fellowship letter; OBLO, 12:45.
Wednesday, 25 March 1970
Up about 8:15—shaved, had breakfast. Left for Gloucester, after getting gas and going to the dump. Jim Bussey and I ran off the bulletin inserts on the drug program—also enough to leaflet the supermarkets. Also ran off my Easter letter + a letter to the Wesleyan Fellowship. We finished up about 11:30. I went over the see the Federicks. Alan was asleep, but his father was awake—he’d been able to get a good night’s sleep. We talked at length about Alan’s future—and the situation is so difficult. Every alternative is fraught with difficulties. I threw away some marijuana which Alan had. On my way home I stopped in Gloucester and got my slides—the duplicate[s] of Fr. Vaillencourt. Got home about 2:00. Had lunch. Then attended to the Easter letter—Bonnie went shopping, I took Debbie on my back. We went to P.O., Epis Church, to Rockport Nat’l bank to leave the Wes. Fellowship letters with Jean Crowell. Home again. Put Debbie down for a nap—and wasn’t much in a mood myself to study; napped. Read the paper when it came. Fixed supper;—when Bonnie returned; Watched CBS news. In the evening I mounted my “scissor” or “accordion” lamp by my chair; worked on Aramaic most of the evening. Bathed about 11:30. More Aramaic; OBLO, 12:20.
Thursday, 26 March 1970
Up about 7:00. Shaved, had breakfast. Got on the road shortly after 8:00. Arrived at Carter Memorial Church in Needham Heights about 9:10. Communion service already in progress in the sanctuary. After this was over we went downstairs—this was, by the way, the Bishop’s Study Day—had coffee + chatting. Then the morning was spent discussing a chapter from a book by Harvey Cox.[1] Then after lunch there was discussion of COCU [2]—Bishop Mathews is in the thick of things, so he was able to give us some good information. The meeting broke up about 2:30. I headed in to BUST. Arrived about 3:00. Did some errands. Also—Dr. Brown informed me that the faculty voted me a $500 Fellowship—although I haven’t been notified yet. Had Aramaic class from 4:00 to 5:35. Then I came directly home. Rainy. Got home about 6:50. Had supper and watched the end of CBS news; it appears as if Nixon’s nomination of G. Howard Carswell is going to be rejected. It’s very rewarding to see this happen. I only hope Congress has the stomach to keep rejecting as long as Nixon’s nominees are inferior.// Ate quickly went to the church. 7:45-8:45 Communion service with Jim Bussey preaching—the service didn’t go off too well; we went to Lewis’, who had Debbie, stayed a while; home by 11:00; bathed; watched some of Johnny Carson; OB, read, LO 12:35.
[1] Leading Protestant theologian at the time.
[2] Consultation on Church Union. Not a very popular initiative; people called it “cuckoo.”
©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/08/10/davids-diary-march-23-1970/
Genealogy Lady 
“—a very sad scene.” ” I think that spending the night with Alan—and really seeing his condition—was a shattering experience for the father.”
Yes, that whole episode, this father’s visit, was very sad.
Gloucester, Rockport – OK – I am jealous – I used to vacation there – even in the 1970s. He is learning Aramaic – yet works with Christian fathers, etc. Do I have the relation incorrect? Thank you – Spyro
David was working on earning a PhD in Old Testament theology. He was required to learn many of the ancient languages…Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic. He also was a part time minster at the Methodist church in Rockport. I hope that clears up any confusion.