What If? The Question or a Statement

RICHARD EVRAUD BUERY This book is the result of encouragement, in part, and personal desire. I was presented with a copy of a book written by Rev. J. Mastin Nisbett. Recording the efforts sustained, when building St. David's Episcopal Church of Cambria Heights. Considering that St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, went through the struggle of building also, Mr. Euclid Jordon approached me with a copy of the same book, stating that someone should also record the struggles sustained while building our church. (We were in this about the same time.) As a matter of fact, it was my intention to write my autobiography for the benefit of my children and family; therefore, this was a great opportunity to combine this project since it was always my intention to do this. As can be noted, I kept most of the information; therefore, it was just a matter of getting my files and thoughts together. As I started, the matter of a title of the book was imperative. As I pondered about my life growing up in Colon, Republic of Panama, the place of my birth—it became obvious to me. The question was this: What if certain situations existed? What direction would my life take? What if I had connected with the photographer mentioned in the book? What if we had decided to take the opportunity to sign a contract offered to Harmonizers? What if the date set by the apprentice program was a day different? What if there was not a stevedore strike when I was employed at the steamship company? What if conditions were different when I was growing up in high school? What if I had furthered my musical experience and taken voice lessons? What if I decided not to be involved on certain occasions? These two words—What if?—can really influence the direction of one's life. This explains the cover of this narrative. It is actually autobiographical and telling the story of the building of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, New York, from my perspective. "AS I SEE IT." Friends are like possessions (working or not), as long as I keep them, they are mine.