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From: Walt Manning
Date: 10/14/03
Time: 8:24:10 AM
Remote Name: 134.29.3.133
Anders- I was moved (both to laughter and tears) by your words and your description of Dr. Van. I met him once during my time as a doc student at Michigan State. The fact that he took a few hours from of his busy schedule in 1971 to talk to me was touching...perhaps more so now than it was even then. I remember thinking that I was more impressed meeting him than I would have been meeting the President (of the US) at the time, Richard Nixon. Indeed! I've also wondered what it would have been like having therapy with him and I wonder if I would have been up to it given the stories I've heard from colleagues. Though I only met him that once, from that experience and my reading and re-watching of his various tapes I can see that he posessed a wonderful combination of tough and tender qualities. His toughness doesn't always translate well to my students but I tell them that if they watch him long enough and closely enough on the tapes they will see the support, empathy, humor, wisdom, and belief in the person they are trying to help. Dr. Van and I corresponded a few times once my career got underway and he once encouraged me to write a book. Later, when I began to feel that I had things to say, I did so. I wish he could have read it and had the opportunity to tell me what was worthwhile and what was foolishness. Thank you for your contribution to the conference.