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