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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Wednesday, February 16, 2005 A5 Sanpete Messenger - Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Heaven Help Us Transforming his life From troublemaker to collegian, Manti man has courage to change By Ben Fox By Corrie Lynne Player Grandmas get the best rewards My youngest son, Nathan, and his wife, Andrea, recently welcomed their first child. Little Samuel Nathan is my 23rd grandchild, but he’s Andrea’s mom’s first grandchild. So, I’d like to tell her about her new role. Although it can be a lot of work, grandmas have more fun than mamas. The hospital treats you like an important part of the family, which you are. You get to go into the nursery, properly scrubbed and gowned, of course, to hold that precious bit of heaven. But you can’t do so without the dad being with you–security, you know. And that line of authority is important. This baby is yours in an unique way–he’s yours by virtue of your grown-up child. So, you can rock and kiss, cuddle and diaper (especially diaper) the babies. Daddies and even mommies are very willing to share here. But you can’t feed the child anything without mama or daddy’s permission. If you think baby’s screaming fits are a result of lactose intolerance from the supplemental bottles, politely tell his parents but don’t take things into your own hands. Remember, anything that goes into that little mouth must be approved by baby’s medical expert (which isn’t you), even if you have a degree in pediatrics and/or raised 10 kids of your own. Humility and politeness are crucial aspects of becoming a successful grandma and gaining access to your little angel. Whether or not you live near the new family is also an important consideration. If you are far away, you can send flowers and tiny footed sleepers and lots of cards and letters, but your role will be peripheral. Figure out a way to get there, in person, as soon and as often as possible. Use all the means at your disposal to make that trip to your first grandchild’s home. As I remember, money put aside for a new kitchen floor helped me make it to one of my first grandkid’s blessings. I was lucky with my first grandchild (and second, third, and fourth) in that I lived nearby and was actually invited into the delivery room with daddy. But such privileges are a matter of your child’s personality and preferences. While my daughters all wanted me holding their hands and helping with the coaching, as did their husbands, none of my daughtersin-law even considered such intimacy. And most of my daughters-in-law barred their own mothers from the delivery room; the young couples wanted to complete a process they started all by themselves nine months before–with a doctor, two nurses, and an anesthesiologist in attendance, however. Yours is not to question such decisions, because doing so violates the relationship between the husband and wife that, no matter how much you dote on and love your now grown up child, is completely beyond your control, and rightly so. Before continuing on with tips for enjoying the adventure, I’d like to pause here for a crucial aside to this grandparenting business. While you have absolutely no real say in most circumstances, you do have moral and ethical responsibilities in the absence or dysfunction of your adult children. When your children can’t parent, for any reason, you must do so, whether or not you’ve been looking forward to retirement or even if you’re now in your sixties or (heaven forbid) seventies. If you’re 80+ or in poor health, I’ll cut you some slack. Otherwise get yourself to that baby’s cradle and take over. Like parenting, grandparenting takes on different dimensions as the child grows up—and as the number of grandkids increases. With a first grandchild, you have lots of options and lots of opportunities. The first grandchild resembles most other “firsts” —first step, first job, first meaningful relationship with the opposite sex, etc. The event comes with a sense of jubilation and achievement, underlaid with a wee bit of anxiety. But most of all there’s jubilation. I don’t think any other first carries with it quite such unmitigated joy. You have all of the love you felt when your first child was born but you have none of the overwhelming responsibility. It’s not you who looks at that scrap of humanity with the absolute knowledge that God expects you to turn it into a happy, law-abiding grown up person. This realization is one of the reasons new parents, especially moms, cry a lot. And it’s the reason new grandparents cry, too, with relief. Next time, I’ll continue with the fun of grandparenting in the 21st century. Corrie Lynne Player has written dozens of books and articles on child rearing and family life. To learn more about her work, visit www.corrielynneplayer.com. Staff writer EPHRAIM—Mike Hodges is a man with a hard past. That hasn’t stopped him from turning his life around, and he is now a serious contender for student body president at Snow College. From the late 1990s until last year, Hodges’ name was in the newspaper numerous times in either the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Booking Report or in crime stories. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to theft and criminal mischief. A host of other charges were dismissed. Hodges has made mistakes, a lot of them in the past. He has been to jail; he has lied, cheated and stolen—but that is now all behind him. His picture is in the newspaper again, but now he has a big smile, and a lot to smile about. “Now I keep myself busy with service; it keeps me out of trouble,” Hodges says. Almost a year ago, Hodges made a choice to become a better man for the sake of his family, the community and himself. Now in his 30s, he is a freshman at Snow. He is studying social work and is involved in an effort to bring a drug rehabilitation facility to the area. Hodges is in the Greenwood Student Center several times a day studying or visiting with friends. He has joined various clubs and organizations. He is a member of Badgers Against Alcohol and Drugs (BAAD) and the Archery Club and various service clubs. He recently raised $500 for the Archery Club. Hodges has been involved with 12-step programs throughout the last year and says they have been a key factor in his personal change. He attended 134 meetings in his first 90 days after deciding to change his life. He now attends several meetings every week to help others achieve the same level of change he has had in his life. “Mike donates his time and money to help people with whatever they need. He is working hard to make a difference and make up for past mistakes. And it is because of those hard things he has overcome that he is able to help so many others,” Susan Whiting, director of health and wellness, said. Hodges says he feels he will be the best candidate for student body president at Snow because he believes in the students, he believes in Snow as an institution and he believes in himself. He has plans to include more people in activities next year. He is looking to reach out to the students that may now be overlooked. Asked if he was too old to BEN FOX / MESSENGER PHOTO Mike Hodges’ straight path to a changed life has led him to run for Snow College studentbody president. be studentbody president, he said, “You are never too old. During my younger years I was doing the wrong things. Now I am doing the right things, and it’s never too late and you are never too old to do what’s right.” Lynn Schiffman, the dean of students at Snow, describes Hodges as an “anomaly” in reference to his life change, age and presence at Snow College. Schiffman says, “I have no doubt in my mind that Mike Hodges has changed and is a good man. … His life experience would be help others as student body president.” Schiffman says he is intrigued by Hodges’ desire to be president. “Mike has very little to gain monetarily,” he says. Students from many groups are in support of Hodges, but Hodges says, “I am not here to be in a popularity contest; I am here to help people.” A lifelong passion for helping Retired hospital employee returns as volunteer By Kathy Lin Eggleston Staff writer MT. PLEASANT—Not many people retire from a job and then return as a volunteer. Then again, not many people dress up as the Easter Bunny and hop around the Sanpete Valley Hospital grounds hiding Easter eggs and hugging the children who come to join in the annual Easter egg hunt, either. But Patricia Beemus does. Beemus worked over 25 years as a housekeeper in the environmental services department. “After working an eighthour shift, I would go back and play bingo or read to the patients,” Beemus said. She jokes that the hospital administration only agreed to let her retire if she continued to volunteer as the hospital’s holiday festivities specialist. Heidi Kelso, human resource director at Sanpete Valley Hospital, said, “As an employee, Patricia was an example to all the patients and staff because she was extremely dedicated to her work. As a volunteer, Patricia exemplifies a true giving spirit. “Patricia was always the most enthusiastic employee when it came to any holiday,” Kelso said. “The volunteer title of festivities specialist seemed to be a perfect fit.” Kelso said Beemus’ service would be remembered for years to come. Whether on Valentine’s Day or Christmas, Beemus delivers cookies, small boxes of chocolates or her divinity or fudge to the long-term-care patients and staff. When April Fools’ Day rolls around, her co-workers will tell you, “Watch out!” More than one employee or patient has been fooled with her innocent looking cupcakes. “I make chocolate cupcakes and cut the top out and put a cotton ball in them,” Beemus said. “Once they were frosted you couldn’t tell and people would take a big bite. I will never forget the looks that I got out of that trick.” “I go to the hospital at Christmas time so the patients don’t feel forgotten,” Beemus said. “One year, I dressed up as Santa with pillows to make me look fat and the beard. I even sat on the nurses’ laps and no one knew me.” Beemus was often the first person to give directions, provide support, or soothe a frightened patient. “I love the people and I really look forward to seeing the babies,” Beemus said. “I love my job.” Beemus has received employee of the month awards several times and was also employee of the year. She has been featured as the IHC Healthy Balance calendar girl. “Patricia has spent a lifetime in the charitable giving to others in the hospital as well as to her friends and neighbors of the community,” said Ned Hill, Sanpete Valley Hospital administrator. “She is a wonderful example of the true meaning of service.” BRUCE VAN DER RIET/MESSENGER PHOTO Hospital volunteer, Patricia Beemus (right), visits patient Ruth Bryan at the Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Nifty Nifty ... look who’s FIFTY Our neighbor, friend and mayor of Manti is celebrating his 50th birthday. Kim’s unfailing dedication and commitment to our community has enhanced our lives and benefited our city. In honor of him there will be an open house and celebraKim Anderson tion on his birthday. His family and friends invite everyone to come to the celebration on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 from 7-9 p.m. at the old Manti City Hall at 191 North Main Street. No gifts please, (unless it’s funny.) Just come wish him a happy birthday and join us for his favorite dessert—cheesecake. 7R TXLW VPRNLQJ FDOO 7587+ |
