Close Call

My sister, Peg, was getting dressed. Her dogs started barking. She peeked out the window and saw my daughter Melissa's car in the driveway. As she scooted down the hall to her bedroom to finish dressing, she heard my grandson, Phil, running down the hall shouting, "Aunt Peggy, where are you?" Peg immediately called out to Phil, "Don't come in, I'm getting dressed!" and "Don't look or you'll go blind!" Phil quickly did an about face and, as he scurried back down the hall to the living room, was heard to exclaim, "Phew! That was close!"

Want to help Victims of Joplin Tornado?

We've seen the destruction caused by the Joplin tornado; virtually the entire city has been leveled.

Natural disasters just seem to be occurring non-stop lately, straining already tight resources.

Residents of Joplin need our prayers, cash, donations of blood and many other things.

The Red Cross site is requesting donations. It has also put up a site to connect people with missing loved ones.

Several Facebook pages, as well as Relief Spark's Twitter page, give information about volunteering or donating supplies.

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks needs blood -- especially Type O. Their site lists area donor centers.

Kim Commando (http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=10830) has listed several resource sites. In addition to Red Cross donations, Red Cross Safe and Well, Relief Spark and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, it lists Reading Tornado May 21, 2011; Help Joplin; and Joplin, MO, Tornado Recover.

Both the Hunger & Child Health sites are giving 100% of donations for tornado relief. You pay nothing, just click on these sites -- sponsors pay for each click (one a day). Or, increase donations by making purchases at the sites.

Tribute to Mothers

Your strength has sustained me.
Your courage has moved me.
Your wisdom has inspired me.
Your sense of humor kept me from taking things too seriously.
By sticking up for what's right, you taught me the power of truth.
Your love has meant everything to me and has given me confidence.
Your kindness taught me how to trust others.
For these, and all the other life lessons you taught by example, I'll be forevere grateful.
Thank you for being there when I need you most and for believing in me, even when I don't.

Author Unknown
Printed in The Outlook
Billerica MA Council on Aging newsletter

Happy Mother's Day

Mom, without you there would be no me.
Your love, your attention, your guidance,
Have made me who I am.
Without you, I would be lost,
Wandering aimlessly,
Without direction or purpose.
You showed me the way
To serve, to accomplish, to persevere.
Without you, there would be an empty space
I could never fill, no matter how I tried.
Instead, because of you,
I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace.
Thank you, Mom.
I have always loved you,
And I always will.

Carlo DeMaria Jr.
Mayor of Everett, MA
& printed in Golden Times
the Everett Council on Aging newsletter

God Protects the Dumb and the Innocent

(I won't say which category I fall into). Making my weekly trek down Route 1 in Saugus in search of craft ideas for my Mia Bella candles. I'd just pulled out of a parking lot & only had to travel two exits when I heard the all-to-familiar sound of tires on a grooved road surface. Since Route 1 isn't a really good place to pull over to investigate, I continued on to my next stop, got out & checked. Sure enough, I had a flat (darn potholes)!

Called AAA; they said service would be by in about an hour. I needed to use a restroom, so dashed into Michael's Crafts, used the restroom and, on my way out, threw the few items on my shopping list into my cart. When I got to checkout I looked out & saw the service truck circling the parking lot. Abandoning my cart, I rushed out to flag him down -- just in time to see him heading up Route 1!

Called AAA back & service returned about a half hour later. After he changed my tire, I headed immediately for my local tire store (at 11:45 am!) and asked them to repair/replace the tire asap as I had to be at work in an hour. A half hour later I was on my way to work with new front tires. They said my two front tires (one flat -- the other not) were about 8 years old (tire life is approx. 7 years).

I've been doing a lot of driving to fairs all over the state with my Mia Bella candles and was due to drive to Pembroke on Saturday and Walpole on Sunday. I was extremely fortunate that the flat occurred close to home and at a relatively low rate of speed. I shudder to think what could have happened if I were traveling down Route 95 at 70 mph when a tire went.

State Assistance Programs

Check your state website for help and information on aging, finances, etc. Your state's National Family Caregiver Support Program can be quite helpful.