Subsequently, my father drove to Hartford to clarify his understanding with Pughsley. The dentist, finally, admitted he would be unable to help.

Dejected, my father began the long drive home to Jersey City. While driving through New Haven, Connecticut—a small, industrial, southern-New England city, 75 miles east of New York City—something extraordinary happened.

My father, whose credo most of his life was "no plan, no goal," decided that he would open his practice there, instead of Hartford or anywhere else. New Haven was home to Yale University, which had an outstanding medical school, a resource my father quickly surmised would be of great benefit to him. But he hadn't researched the city. He knew no one there.

Although grounded by reason, discipline and methodical planning, my father was also a man with an adventurous side, who was not averse, when he felt compelled, to take a leap of faith.

He had decided he would open up a practice in Connecticut, and he would do so, with or without anyone's help.

NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO Literally: God, there is something in the heavens! A symbol of hope and inspirtion, trusting in something that's greater than ourselves.