Norma Jean's Column for Southern Prince George's County

CLINTON COLUMN FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2003

The following is a speech that was read by Linda Rayner at her mother's, Marie Strickland's birthday tea. Although we do not know the author, I think it is food for thought. The title is "Belonging to a Family". "One of the most wonderful things of life is a sense of belonging. And the best thing to belong to is a loyal and affectionate family - a family each of whom has their own individual activities and interests, but who feels a real oneness with one another. There is much that a family can do with oneness, and much that is missed without it. There are so many things to join, so many things to do, so many things to take us away, but a loving and loyal family is still one of the most wonderful things in the world to belong to.

"Families differ. They differ in their affections. They differ intheir demonstrativeness. They differ in their sharing of confidences and interests and activities. Families are sometimes abused, sometimes slighted, sometimes seem to reserve the right to quarrel and criticize one another, and often take each other for granted. But, let some need arise, some tragedy threaten, some sorrow come, some loss or loneliness, and thoughts turn homeward; hearts and arms are opened; and families sense their oneness and their common claims and causes.

"It is usually the older generation, the parents, who keep families close. But even after parents have left this life, families should rally around one another, and keep close. They should always preserve a gathering place, carry on traditions, and see that the next generation becomes acquainted with one another, for this sense of belonging, this 'togetherness' is a source of strength, of comfort, of safety and security, of peace and protection.And he who has it has more to live up to, more to account for, more to keep him on safe paths and high purposes.

"The years move swiftly. The blessed years when we have our loved ones with us are all too short, and we should hold, in love and loyalty,to those on whom we have the closest claims. No matter who comes or goesand no matter where time takes us, families should keep close, for love and a sense of belonging is the sweetest, most satisfying thing in life. There is no finer thing than a loyal and affectionate family, and it will always be so."

Happy Birthday this past month to John Randall, Chester Stevenson,and Walter Walker, August 1, Jean McCall, August 3, Cecilia M. Thomas,August 6, Ruby Barbour, and my granddaughter, Brenna Fazenbaker, August7, Adriel Dungan, August 9, Alex Sasscer, August 12, Paul Moore, August13, Edgar Plotts, August 14, Louise Randolph and Michael Payne, August18, Janet Duty, and my grandson, Richard Wechsler, Jr., August 20, EllaMoore, August 22, my great grandson, Richard Wechsler, III, August 23, Jack White, August 25, Peggy Moore, August 27, and Lynn Price, August 28.

September birthday celebrants are Vera V. Lewis, September 1,Margaret Brown and Kristie Wilkins, September 3, Ronnie Donley,September 4, Wanda Ball, Marie Strickland, and Jacquelynn Dinnis,September 5,Glen Johnson, September 7, Dorothy Bologna, September 8,Betty Hollidge, September 10, Amanda Windsor, September 12, FranklinRichardson, September 13, Hedy Saucier, and Sandy Trott, September 14,Mary Lee Miller, September 16, Beatrice Felton, September 19, Jim Dinnis, September 21, Nancy Coffren, September 22, Shirley M.Carter, Elizabeth Duggan, Lorraine Griggs and Joe Rodgers, September 23,Alease Manning, September 25, Maude Coddington, September 27, JanetLove, and Rachael Lederer, September 28.

Flea Market coming up at American Legion Post 259, 9122 PiscatawayRoad in Clinton, in the parking lot Saturday, October 18,from 9 am to 1pm. (Rain date will be October 19). Space is $10 (bring your owntable). Call Joan at 301-297-4832 or Vivian at 301-868-6639.

Maryland Choral Society is planning four concerts this season. Thefall concert will feature Bach's "Magnificat" and Vivaldi's "Gloria" andthe December Concert will feature Britten's "Ceremony of Carols" andConrad Susa's "Christmas in the Southwest." There will be a Marchconcert, as well as one in May. Call 301-961-7131 for further information and to set up an audition.

The greatest loss is that of self-respect.

Norma Jean Fazenbaker's column can be found in the Clinton Gazette, Prince George's Post, Prince George's Sentinel, and the Enquirer Gazette. You can contact Norma Jean by email - click this link.

2003 Archives: Jan. 2, Jan. 9, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 16, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 21, Aug. 28

2002 Archives: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 18, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 26

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