Keeping In Touch

                           (Article published in The Upson Home Journal July

                                                           of 1993)

Recently, I decided that there were several things I would like to mention in this column today.  So here goes.

A real appreciation goes to Mary Greathouse, Publisher and Editor of the Upson Home Journal, from myself for the working relationship that we have.  She and her family have been through some difficult times and I have a great deal of sympathy for them.  But someway, somehow, I think good will come out of our trials in life.  I wish I had the answers to why things turn out bad in life.  I don't.  Many times I've told people that if I had a magic wand to touch them and make things alright, I would.  That wand would surely be worn out by now, I guess.

A few days ago, I had the privilege of having Lucy Shaver, director of Thomaston's Gilmore Center, along with employees, Jimmy Aaron and Sylvia Ellington on a television program in Macon.  This program is a spin off from the radio program that I did here in Thomaston.  It was really fun. 

The Gilmore Center provides serices for a much in need population.  It is one of the best programs of its type in the state. It seems their biggest need at the time is for additional funding. 

As Lucy informed me, they always ruan a waiting list and currently, I believe, they have about 14 on the list waiting to get into service.  Serving the developmentally disable population is such an important job.  But the most interesting thing about the Gilmore Center is that the people who are part of that program have jobs and earn monies, which increases their self-concepts and self-esteem.  Thomaston can be proud of this center.

I've had an interesting summer group of teen-age boys.  We have done an activity group all summer and used a combination of ouside activities and group therapy and it has been extremely successful.  Another therapist, Nili Collins and I have co-directed this group and we've had two volunteers from the Bibb County School System to help us.  Billie Whited, who is in charge of Behavior Disorder Services for Bibb County and Mary Ann Lokey, a special education teacher have helped along with Henry Warnock, a recent Mercer Master's graduate in Child and Family Therapy.  This concept seems to really work and Niki and I are already making plans for a fall group. 

When this article is in print, we will have had a group at Brown's Lake here in Thomaston and I might add that they allowed us to fish without a fee, which speaks for how nice these folks are.

Also, the children have been much on my mind as my daughter leaves in a few days to attend Baylor University.  I know I'll be very sad.  That's just the way I am.  It seems like only yesterday she was daddy's little girl. I feel very guility sometimes for the time I've not given her.  I dread the trip to Texas to take her because I've found in the last few years that the tears come easy for me now.  But as she starts on this new journey of her life, I know I love her more than ever.  She has become very excited at a summer job as she has been working for a couple of lawyers in Macon. 

Emptying the nest is so very hard.  But I have to remind myself that this is what is supposed to happen.  My son graduated in May from college and is now struggling with the job market and whether he joins it or returns to graduate school is kind of up in the air right now.  It is hard when an adult child comes back home after college because there are many changes, especially for parents, as to how you interact with them.  So I'm learning hopefully, as I struggle with this.

I had the opportunity to run into an old friend, Lois Repass, who used to alternate writing this column with me.  She was visiting her husband's relatives in LaGrange, and we spent maybe two hours renewing our friendship.  As I told her that day, she was probably the best female friend I've ever had, and I still miss her.  Some of you probably remember the articles that she wrote on older adult issues.  But her life is going well.  Her family lives in Carson City, Nevada.  She and her husband work as Rehabilitation Specialists.

In life, one of the really sad parts is becoming acquainted with people and then watching them move on out of your life.  I know that is a part of life I've never gotten used to.  I guess I'm just not good at goodbyes with people that I care about.

All in all, it has been a busy, thought provoking and definitely hot summer.  Change is always a part of life and this summer has been no exception.  Hopefully these changes will result in growth and development as human beings. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer.