This week I want to dedicate my article to Rhonda Rich and all the folks at Liberty Hospice. Rhonda is such a motivational person. She always lifts my spirits. Her love for the Lord and people reflects in all she does. Thanks Liberty Hospice for all you do for our seniors, and those in need. On July 16, Rhonda and Liberty sponsored the meal at Garland’s N.C. Step Leadership Program , a grant for the town of Garland that will improve the town and lives of so many that call Garland a home.

Thanks to Sharon Keith for presenting volunteer opportunities at Community Home Care and Hospice. She brought lots of goodies. Sharon loves celebrations! Her hopes and plans are to have her own shop.

The Arthritis Exercise Program going great. If you missed this class and you’re interested, we will plan another one. Come check it out, we are in our second week. It’s great. Thanks Richard for a job well done.

We want to welcome our newest staff member, Karina Macedo. Karina worked a few hours during the spring semester. She graduated in June from Union High School and plans to enter Sampson Community College and major in Spanish/ English. She is a great asset to the Garland Center. She is now employed through the Sampson Harnett WIA Program. Welcome Karina!

Our sympathy goes out to the Boykin and Veronica Thomas families in the loss of their dear loved ones. Veronica is a very dedicated volunteer here at the Garland Senior Center.

We are trying to get something in place for a reading/writing class here at the center. We feel this is a much needed program. If anyone would be interested in helping with a class, please call me at 910-529-3931. We have the space. We have computers and the students, we just need the instructor. What a blessed way to use your talents!

I was blessed as I was going through old stuff here at the center. I have been here since 2007, but I am still going through “stuff.” I found this folder labeled Betty Carter’s poem. What a great treasure. It seems to have been compiled in 1990 by her granddaughters Barbara Carter Peppos and Deborah Carter Moulse. Christmas 1990, I would like to share one poem. They all seem to be very personal.

Cheer Up

I say, my friend cheer up and smile

Come raise your head up high.

The sun is shining bright and warm

And see how blue the sky.

Why let yourself be sad?

Instead, why not be gay!

I say, my friend, cheer up and smile

Just think, you have today.

I know your heart my ache

But all aches pass away.

By tomorrow you will forget

That there ever was today.

Don’t hang your head in such despair

For life has so much in it.

I say cheer up and smile

Just think, you have this minute.

So cheer up and smile

There is nothing in a frown.

Life is what you make it

Don’t let it get you down.

You have eyes, hands and feet

And you can work and play

Cheer up, my friend, and smile

You have today.

Words to live by: Team Work: it’s a matter of learning and growing together, overlooking squirts and showing, tolerance, of understanding and playing to individual strength of cheering each other and makes each day a home run for everyone. Persistence Do something if it works do more of it, if it doesn’t do something else. (JD Roosevelt)

Remember whatever we are doing. Stand together. Together we stand, divided we fall. In all things, let the strong bear the infirmities of the weak.

Remedies from Women’s World Magazine — if you want to stay cool all night, take old socks and fill with raw rice, tie with rubber band, put them in the freezer for a while place them inside your pillow, wow! This might even help with hot flashes.

Until next time, spend some quality time under the shade tree, it’s a reward for the memories are here to stay.