Stephanie Denham: Farewell to summer, hello to new friends

Discussion

September 16, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Sep 16, 2009, 02:07 PM CDT

It is September already, seems like summer has gone really fast. Many things have happened this summer. The central office moved to its new location, work is moving right along with the new Carl Junction center, and activities galore are scheduled at all of the senior centers.

I have enjoyed stopping by and visiting at the centers during the summer months. It is always fun to see friends and guests at the centers. Many bring family in from out of town, and some of the seniors and staff members bring their grandchildren or neighbors.

There have been many occasions that I have run into friends I haven’t seen in months (or years), plus by bringing in grandchildren and neighbors, this gives the seniors a chance for “intergenerational” visits. Many of our seniors own families have moved away and they don’t get to visit as often as they would like. The summer months often gives us a chance to visit with our friends, children and grandchildren.

It is always good to catch up on what is going on in other people’s lives too. Sometimes we learn a friend is moving back to town, or a family member has moved away. Keeping in touch is good for all of us — we learn to lean on others and share with others. Some occasions it is reason for smiles and happiness, other times it is a time of sadness and tears, but through it all we have each other. Friends and family are both very much a part of our lives.

I had several things this summer I was fortunate to share with others as I visited in the centers. In our families we had several nieces and nephews who got married, or new babies were welcomed into their families, and I became a “mother-in-law.” Our son got married in July, and we now have a new Mrs. Denham in the family and she is a sweetheart!

Also, over the summer months, our centers have had staff who have been ill, and had to be out of the centers for a short term. We have had new staff join us in our “agency family” and we had one gentleman who decided to take advantage of retirement.

The janitor of The Center at Carl Junction has been an employee since January 1996 and recently retired. Bob has been a great staff person and a wonderful co-worker. Bob was working at the center when I first came to the agency. He is a friend to all who walked through the doors at the center. He will be missed by all as we go to The Center but we know he will enjoy staying home with his wife, family and his granddaughter.

At this time, we would like to say “enjoy your retirement Bob — but we will miss you!!”

As we approach the fall and winter months, I am sure we will have many more things for all of us to share with others, after all just remember, without our friends and family, where would we be? Take the time each day to say hello to others, share with others and be a friend to others. We all have things going on in our life, some good, some not so good, but with friends and family — we can get through anything.

Have a great day, enjoy the upcoming fall weather and see you at one of the centers soon!

Stephanie Denham is the nutrition program director for the Area Agency on Aging.

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Stephanie Denham: Farewell to summer, hello to new friends

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

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