A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND, FLO ANN BENDER
Its happened again. Just this past Friday evening. Another friend has passed away. The memorial services are coming too fast and close together. I was bemoaning this to a friend and she reminded me of my age. Of course I hadn't forgotten I just celebrated my seventy-fourth birthday. Now that number does not seem old to me. Have you listened to Willard Scott on the Today Show call out the birthdays? Today we have a lady who is 106 and a man who is 108.We are definitely living longer.
My friend Flo Ann was a couple of years younger than I. She had gone through three bouts of breast cancer and the third time it metastasized into her vital organs.She was a strong lady, a woman of deep faith. She set an example for all of us to follow.
I first met Flo Ann at a book signing. We hit it off immediately. We had similar backgrounds..... both grew up in a rural area, she in Ohio and I in Virginia. Both had fought breast cancer, going through the unpleasant effects of chemo. We were in our senior years when our first book was published. And I could list more but the one thing that brought a closer relationship was her taking my Memoir Writing class. It was here that I learned what a special person she had been all her life. Her memoirs were from her heart, speaking of childhood experiences on the farm or stories about her family.
Shortly before I met her she was one of several co-authors of a book called, "Reflections From the Heart."This is a collection of poems, stories, and meditations of inspiration. She has several selections included in the book. One of my favorites is "The Best Gift."("Reflections From the Heart," by Cherri Bingham with co-authors, Book Stand Publishing, c2007) This is a letter to her daughter to be kept and read when she is an adult and has children of her own. It tells of a time when money was in short supply and she gave her daughter some clay to make a creche. In doing so her daughter revealed she understood the true meaning of Christmas. Another selection, "God is In Control," ends in this way--"You need to always have a goal. Dream it. plan it,and fulfill it. God will give you strength for whatever you are doing. He will be with you every step of the way. I am grateful for this life that he has given me. I have realized that God wants each of us to celebrate life everyday to the fullest.(pp116-117)
by many. And yes, you dreamed it, you planned it, and you fulfilled it. Rest in peace, my friend.Flo Ann, you will be missed
Darlene Eichler/July 23, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
LABELS
Labels
We do it every day. It has become accepted in today’s society but that doesn’t mean it is always right and good. The ‘it’ I’m talking about is labeling persons and groups. Some negative examples might be: (1) “damn Yankee” (2) “red neck” (3) “liberal” (4) “conservative” (5) “geek” (6) “fundamentalist” (7) “loser” (8) “racist.” I said “could be” because some might not consider them as such but in most cases they tend to be inflammatory.
If you have never been on the receiving end of one of those negative labels in your lifetime, you probably aren’t aware of the hurt and misunderstanding they are capable of causing. Have you as a parent tried to soothe your child’s hurt feelings over name calling by another child or adult? Often we feel so helpless--- the hurt cannot be fixed with a simple kiss----and the damage may be devastating.
An incident happened a few weeks ago at a Book Fair in Louisville, Kentucky which started me to think about labels. On the Friday evening prior to the signing, the authors attended a get-to-know-you gathering. We took our turns in introducing ourselves, telling where we were from and our genres of writing. We were more than half through the group of about fifty writers when one man stood up to introduce himself. He took a deep breath and in a raised voice said, “I’m a bleeding heart liberal!”
It seemed that everyone breathed in at the same time and the room was devoid of air. (Remember we were in Louisville, Kentucky.). As if on cue we exhaled and a scattering of nervous laughter could be heard throughout the room. Thoughts which went through our minds were probably a little different in about fifty ways. My first thoughts were, is he doing this for shock value or does his writing show a positive side of this label?
No one asked him, at that time, what he meant by the label he obviously felt pride in wearing. But I was curious! I waited to near the end of the book fair to walk over to his table. I wasn’t quite certain what to say but I finally blurted out, “so you are a liberal?” He smiled and proceeded to tell me why he introduced himself in that way. He had been a Southern Baptist minister and in studying the New Testament began to think about how Jesus would deal with the problems that plague us today. He came to the conclusion Jesus would be classified as a liberal. On that premise he rewrote parts of the New Testament as if it were taking place today. He asked me if I would read his book. I answered in the affirmative and he gave me a copy. He continues to be a pastor in another denomination.
I would surmise that some authors missed an opportunity to talk to this interesting person. I don’t have to agree with him on everything but he has the right to say it.
So, remember the next time you are confronted with a label, peel it away and see the real person. You may be surprised in a positive way.
This article was written before the shootings in Tucson. As I listened to the rhetoric of finger pointing with name calling and labels thrown into the mix, my thoughts turned to Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we kept that commandment negative labels would disappear!
Darlene Eichler
We do it every day. It has become accepted in today’s society but that doesn’t mean it is always right and good. The ‘it’ I’m talking about is labeling persons and groups. Some negative examples might be: (1) “damn Yankee” (2) “red neck” (3) “liberal” (4) “conservative” (5) “geek” (6) “fundamentalist” (7) “loser” (8) “racist.” I said “could be” because some might not consider them as such but in most cases they tend to be inflammatory.
If you have never been on the receiving end of one of those negative labels in your lifetime, you probably aren’t aware of the hurt and misunderstanding they are capable of causing. Have you as a parent tried to soothe your child’s hurt feelings over name calling by another child or adult? Often we feel so helpless--- the hurt cannot be fixed with a simple kiss----and the damage may be devastating.
An incident happened a few weeks ago at a Book Fair in Louisville, Kentucky which started me to think about labels. On the Friday evening prior to the signing, the authors attended a get-to-know-you gathering. We took our turns in introducing ourselves, telling where we were from and our genres of writing. We were more than half through the group of about fifty writers when one man stood up to introduce himself. He took a deep breath and in a raised voice said, “I’m a bleeding heart liberal!”
It seemed that everyone breathed in at the same time and the room was devoid of air. (Remember we were in Louisville, Kentucky.)
No one asked him, at that time, what he meant by the label he obviously felt pride in wearing. But I was curious! I waited to near the end of the book fair to walk over to his table. I wasn’t quite certain what to say but I finally blurted out, “so you are a liberal?” He smiled and proceeded to tell me why he introduced himself in that way. He had been a Southern Baptist minister and in studying the New Testament began to think about how Jesus would deal with the problems that plague us today. He came to the conclusion Jesus would be classified as a liberal. On that premise he rewrote parts of the New Testament as if it were taking place today. He asked me if I would read his book. I answered in the affirmative and he gave me a copy. He continues to be a pastor in another denomination.
I would surmise that some authors missed an opportunity to talk to this interesting person. I don’t have to agree with him on everything but he has the right to say it.
So, remember the next time you are confronted with a label, peel it away and see the real person. You may be surprised in a positive way.
This article was written before the shootings in Tucson. As I listened to the rhetoric of finger pointing with name calling and labels thrown into the mix, my thoughts turned to Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we kept that commandment negative labels would disappear!
Darlene Eichler
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
TALE OF THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of South Carolina, the Realm of Columbia, on day 30 of June in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twelve, a marvelous thing happened. Some called it a miracle. Others credited it to luck. But whatever helped it along, I’m thankful. Family members came in all directions in their carriages. The majority came form the Kingdom of Georgia and the Realm of Atlanta, and one from the Kingdom of North Carolina, the Realm of Marion, There was only one serious mishap along the way. One of the carriages from the Realm of Atlanta broke down. There was nothing left to do but turn around and retrieve the stranded guests.
A wonderful feast was prepared to be served in a Great Hall at one hour past noon but alas the food must wait until the weary travelers arrived. The guest of honor, Lady Darlene and her escort, Knight George, were made comfortable at a table in the Great Hall. They were plied with food and drink and the time passed quickly. Knight John joined them. He had been delayed on the road from his home in the North. It seems that the King had declared a holiday for the following week and the highways and by-ways were teeming with all manner of conveyances. A heat wave was going through the known world and it was taking its toll on humans and animals alike
The carriages from the Realm of Atlanta began to roll in . They contained a large number of overheated and hungry folks. Their ages ranged from four months up to 53 years in age. I shall list them by name for future references:
I. The Household of Sims:
Lady Robin (also known as “Birdie”)
Sir Jimmy
Lad Tucker
II. The Household of Addison:
Lady Jennifer
Sir Jason
Lad Jason, Jr.
Lad Justen
III. The Household of Ingram
Lady Heather
Sir Nick
Lad John Douglas
Lad Sebastian
Lad Julian
IV. The Household of Planer
Lady Holly
Sir John
Little Miss Reagan
The following were from the Kingdoms of North and South Carolina:
V. The Household of Huddle (North Carolina)
Sir John
VI. The Household of Eichler (South Carolina)
Lady Darlene
Sir George
After the feast at the Great Hall the birthday group left in their carriages for an inn called The Whitney Hotel. Everyone had great accommodations and began to relax ---some took advantage of the bathing pool, others enjoyed the company of family members they don’t see very often. Lady Darlene, grandmother of many there, made plans and decorated for a surprise birthday party for all the little ones under ten years old.
As the time passed the crowd began to grow hungry. What can we do? There is no kitchen in the Inn. Someone knew of a place where huge tomato pies were the specialty. Although this food was foreign to some tastes the lively and adventuresome group decided to order several with different flavors of these strange pies. After another great feast, there were several adults who ventured a prognostication--these large tomato pies would grow in popularity with young and old to the point that there would be many restaurants that served only this unusual food.
Then it was time for the surprise birthday party for the little knights and one tiny lady. The looks on their faces were priceless as they realized that they would have a party, too. Sir John Huddle’s help with the party was greatly appreciated. Everyone seemed happy with their loot and the cake began to disappear. It gave Lady Darlene great pleasure to see the beautiful, smiling faces.
A restful night was enjoyed by all, even the babies. Sunday morning dawned sunny and hot but spirits weren’t wilted by the high temperatures. We were just a little sad to be going our separate ways later in the morning. The carriages were readied, packed and loaded with passengers. Many hugs and good-byes took place before the carriages made their way onto the highway.
It is Lady Darlene’s and Sir George’s wish that we can do this again next year. We gave thanks for a special family and safe travel.
A HAPPY ENDING
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