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Show Guardian of Your Community News WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2009 • A3 A friend in need is a friend indeed can we do to help?" Hopefully after I take care of my cancer, I will be able to use Rosemary Jarmaii my new perspective to be a better friend and neighbor. Don't ask, just Here are some thoughts For so many years I've do. If there is been at a loss as to how to I've had and some that I've help someone I care about read (while sitting in waitan obvious need who is suddenly facing ma- ing rooms, of course). ... just show Don't ask, just do. If jor, life-changing obstacles. I usually let my fear of there is an obvious need, up with some looking stupid (i.e. show- like a filthy car, lawn that friends and do it. ing up on the doorstep with needs mowing, a garden the sixth frozen lasagna waiting to be tilled or a they have received in three deck that was almost done days) gradually talk me out before tragedy struck, just of doing anything. With the show up with some friends outpouring of love and con- and do it. Asking often puts cern we've felt the past few an unnecessary burden of months, I have gained new decision on the recipient. ness is, the better. Some exinsight into how I would Smaller is better. The amples are: a friendly note answer the question "What less grand the act of kind- or email of encouragement, or a prayer in someone s behalf, especially on a day of treatment or testing (yes, they will feel it). Volunteer to take their child to regularly scheduled 'events for a specified period of time. For example, "I'll take Jack to basketball practice for the next six weeks for you," or "Don't worry about getting Sarah to church on Wednesdays, we'll pick her up until you're finished with chemo." Then put it on you calendar so you don't forget. . Loan them a favorite DVD to watch (preferably uplifting, comedy). Bring a small food gift. My Unintentional Life Large, full-course meals can add up to lots of leftovers. Sometimes appetites are decreased when dealing with stress. A loaf of bread or a fruit salad provides needed nourishment and are a ray of relief anytime.Be a good listener and confidante. Everyone says that one of the biggest blessings is someone trustworthy and caring to talk to. Distract the spouse or children once in while with something fun like flying kites, going to the dollar show or overnight camping (contingent on how long the patient can be left alone). They will appreciate a break from the "world of the oppressed" and any reminder that life will be normal again someday. Don't be a messenger of doom and gloom. Okay, you had a cousin that had the same condition and passed away as a result. This is not the time to share that story. Instead be positive and encouraging no matter the situation. Don't take it personally if your phone calls and emails are not returned. Sometimes it's hard to reciprocate when you're emotionally tapped out. The consistent friend, even when it seems to turn into a one-way relationship, is the true friend. With so much to get, it's hard to get any than I already have on my plate. The world is getting so noisy that it's hard to conShirlene R. Ottesen centrate on the things that The world around me is are important. Maybe we changing so fast that I can't know too much - or maybe keep up with it all and more it's just too much too fast. than that - the "generation Everyone keeps saying, gap" is getting wider and "simplify, simplify." Well, someone tell me how to wider. do that. I grew up in a time I do not understand (and maybe I don't want to), the when life was pretty busy, new language that you need sometimes challenging and to know when others are difficult, yet as I look back trying to communicate with it was rather simple. Gas was 22 cents a galyou. I don't have the internet so I don't have e-mail; I lon, but only a few had cars don't blog, google or twit- which weren't all that reliter; Pm 'not on facebook. able. Hy told me one time I'm not saying that it isn't about his mother sending all good "stuff', I just don't him on an errand to the want to manage any more Lake Shore store which There and Back Again was about two, maybe three miles from their home. It took longer than expected because he had to stop and fix two flat tires on the way to the store. I think my parents bought their first car in 1939 so I would have been 7 years old. We only went to town once a week, if we needed something, and that was always on Saturday. Meals were simple and mostly from food grown on the farm. We had our own meat, milk and eggs. Almost everyone raised a few sheep, pigs, and beef and had at least one or more coops filled with chickens. Milk cows provided plenty of milk and cream to make butter plus a baby most exciting thing to do, but I do remember having some good conversations with those who were in the winter. • We didn't have dance field with me. Sometimes lessons or ball games all it was someone living here summer to keep us busy. in Palmyra or from town. We didn't belong to clubs Sometimes it was my moththat took tours to different er who worked along side parts of the country in the me in the field. summer. If your dad was Birthday parties were a farmer, the summer was simple. My mother wrote all planned out before sum- down the things that I got mer even began. What we for my sixth birthday and did every day was dictated I received $1.10, plus othby the weather, the season er very basic gifts such as ' and the harvest. Sugar beets material for a new dress, were thinned before school undies and stockings. Vacaended in the spring. No tions were almost non-exissprays were used to control tent. I can think of only one pesky weeds and so all the vacation that my parents field work was done with a went on and it was to Bryce hoe. It was hot, it wasn't the Canyon. I remember that we calf each year. Gardens furnished summer vegetables and enough to bottle for the stayed in a little log cabin at Ruby's Inn near the canyon. I guess it made quite an impression on me because we had to build a fire in the stove to keep warm and I remember thinking "This is the same way we heat our home in Palmyra." So as I watch the generation gap widen between me, my children and grandchildren, I have come to the conclusion that it's okay. In fact, my sympathy to all of you who missed that era of time. You missed a lot of experiences that was a fierce teacher of some of life's greatest lessons: hard physical labor, responsibility, contentment, a sense of obligation and gratitude. Benjamin seems to shrink with school coming tions to Zoe on achieving ninety years of good living and wish her many more. Maine, they visited some of the picturesque lighthouses of that area. Kathleen Olsen ••• Carl and Shirley ShepKevin and Allison JohnMany family, friends, herd and Bp. Wayne and son Wilkey of Tooele, beand neighbors of Zoe Bal- Diane Miller recently en- came the parents of a baby zly had the opportunity of joyed a delightful trip to the boy on Saturday, August meeting and visiting with north eastern United States 8, 2009, at the Utah Valley Zoe on Saturday, August 8, and south eastern Canada. Regional Medical Center in 2009, in honor of her 90th They flew into Portland, Provo, UT. (Kevin made it birthday. The party was Maine, and then traveled by back from his triumph at the held in the Cultural Hall of car into St. Joseph and Hali- World Games in China just the Benjamin Church. Zoe fax, Nova Scotia. They also in time.) The baby's name is the oldest woman in Ben- visited New Brunswick, is Jay Logan Wilkey and he jamin, and is a person that and Prince Edward Island. was welcomed to the family is easy to enjoy and have On P.E.I, they stayed a by one older brother, Aiden, as a friend or neighbor. She couple of days while they and one older sister, Isabel. has the reputation of being visited the sites of Anne of Lloyd and Annetta Wilkey a hard worker - something Green Gables fame and saw are the baby's grandparents she has done all of her life. a wonderful, musical play and Janet Wilkey is an aunt Whether it's been in her about Anne. They were in Benjamin. ••• home or out on the farm intrigued by the beautiful fields or in her jobs away scenery including trie red, The Block Party for the red sand of the beaches of from home, she has worked southeast area of Benjamin diligently and steadily while Prince Edward Island and, 1st Ward was held at the being kind and compassion- in contrast, the white sand home of Lynn and Janet of Maine. ate along the way. Hazel on Saturday, August While near Portland, 8, 2009. The report was evWe send our congratula- 'Round and About Benjamin • Madison's Avenue • • • eryone had a good time and got to know the neighbors a bit better, ••• I so appreciate Jim Moon who brought me the following article about the 'doings' in his and Kathy's family during this summer. I will quote just as. he brought it. "Forty years ago man stepped foot on the moon. On this forty year anniversary, the Jim Moon family stepped foot on Southern California. All eight kids, their spouses, and twenty grandkids went and enjoyed the sights and sounds in this vacation hot spot. Most of the family stayed from July 25, to August 3, 2009. We were able to see a Dodger game. Many visits were made to Disneyland and California Adventure. Some of the family went to Knotts Berry Farm while others went to Sea World in San Diego. There lots of good times playing on the beach and playing in the surf. The best time of all was spending time together with everyone. Ryan, Jill and their family live in Nebraska while Danny and Brittney live in Texas; so we don't get to see them as often as we would like. Some of us were able to see all three temples in the area: Los Angeles, New Port Beach and the San Diego temple. They were very impressive and beautiful. "Since we haven't publicly announced some new additions to the family, here goes: Jeremy and Brooke had a baby boy in April and his name is Judson. He has a two year old brother named Boston. Ashley and A.J. had a baby boy born in June and is named Easton. This little guy is their first. Grandpa and Grandma Moon love to spoil seven granddaughters and 13 grandsons." Thanks very much, Jim. You and your family have had a busy summer and we appreciate _ your sharing it with us. ••• Benjamin is emptying fast as the" college students returned to their various colleges and universities. We wish them well as they start another year. And the big yellow school buses motoring along roads and lanes tell us that the public schools are also gearing up and our community will be mostly empty of school age children during the day. This summer has gone by so quickly it is almost like the summer that wasn't. We wish these students good luck also and hope they are able to achieve good things, too. by"BigAI"andTarnzy" Letter to the Editor Thank you for sharing in the fun I want to give a great big thanks to all who contributed to Salem Days in any way. From the Golf Tournament, and Co-Ed Softball, to Mud Volley Ball, and Councilman Green, The Little Miss Salem Contest, and The Salem Days Family Fireside. The Cardboard Duct Tape Regatta, the Baby Contest, Tractor PuU, Family Movie and Senior Dinner, It doesn't end there. A Rodeo ,LU,C, Allan Otsen and Darren Fames "Oh Chloe, I pleaded the Fifth... and still got GROUNDED!" was held, and a Children's Parade, Salem's Got Talent Show, A Fun Run and Breakfast in the Park before the Hometown Parade. There was a Photo contest, and Quilt show and The' Fair in the Square with something for everyone. Food and Craft Booths, Karaoke, Games and a Car show. The Climax came with the Barbecue Dinner, Library Auction, Pageant, and Fireworks! Who could ask for anything more? We are blessed to live in a community like Salem. Where everyone, Mayor, City Council, all of the City Employees and 100's of Volunteers, spend countless hours to make this a memorable occasion. This celebration just couldn't happen without them. Thanks Salem, Lorraine Underwood and Family |