Again, the weather is amazing! Sunshine. Shorts. Ice. Snow. Sunshine again. Sleet. What can we say — our God is in control! What an awesome God!

The Garland Senior Center celebrated Black History Month on Tuesday. It was a blast. A great program was presented by Donald Allen. We had tasty foods — BBQ, turkey wings, collards, chicken, hot dogs, ribs, black eyed peas, pinto beans, fried corn fritters, hoop cheese and chocolate cake. All of that really took us back to the “shade tree days.”

Many folks benefited from the free services of legal aide this week. If you missed this opportunity, call us and we will get you in later when they come back.

My article this week is dedicated to Paula Jacopec. Paula type up my articles and sometimes helps me write them, and gives me good ideas. Thank you Paula — you are a good volunteer! I know Paula doesn’t like to be on a pedestal, but she deserves it.

If anyone out there needs weatherization assistance, please call us at 529-3931. We can hook you up with the right people. There are other programs we may be able to connect you to also. Come see us. You might find some education you need.

Tax assistance with Ms. Ida Parker will began March 1. We have 19 seats available. Please get your name on the list early. Seats are limited — on a first come, first serve basis. Goldsboro is our shopping trip — it’s open to the public as long as we have seats. Contact the center to get your seat reserved on the bus.

We plan to offer the Chronic Pain Management Class, as well as an Arthritic Care Exercise Class. It’s free so please call if you are interested. Basic Computers and Keyboarding will be offered again in April. Please call if interested. You do need to register early.

If anyone is interested in working with us as we start a new project — “Sun Dresses for Haiti” (for little girls) please come out and volunteer your time. We have material, a cutting table and sewing machines for everyone to use. Please volunteer for a good cause.

Let’s look at a few remedies. Laughter is a fast working remedy for stress. If you need a pick me up during the day — lighten the load with a bit of humor. Dry skin is a common problem during the colder months. Avoid bathing in hot water—use warm water. Always moisturize. Take some “me” time everyday. You will feel much better. Try and do something for another person everyday. This will make you feel better. Stay connected to the “shade tree of life!”

It’s been lonely without Mr. Edward McKoy at the center. It’s hard sometimes not to call out his name when you want something done. I came across this poem in some of his stuff. The author is unknown: “Take time to work, It is the price of success. Take time to think, It is the source of power. Take time to play, It is the secret of perpetual youths. Take time to read, It is the foundation of wisdom. Take time to be friendly, It is the road to happiness. Take time to love and be loved, It is the privilege of the Gods. Take time to share, Life is too short to be selfish. Take time to laugh, Laughter is the music of the soul.”

How many of us get so busy in our day to day goings that we forget to “take time”? We feel we have to take care of so many people and so many things that are important. But the most important thing we have to do before we can take care anything or anybody is to take care of ourselves. Are you giving yourself what you need in this life? I’m not talking about the possessions of this life. I am not talking about being “selfish” in a bad way. I am talking about the spiritual and emotional time for yourself—the quiet time that centers your soul and brings back your own peace and tranquility. Sometimes, we ignore what we need in the rush of doing other things, that we neglect our own well being. You can’t help others successfully, until you have your own self in order. Promise yourself that you will “take time” this week for the most important person in your life — YOU!