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June 2011
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280 Living
PAST PERFECT
900 Fabrics and leather to choose from
Accessories on Wheels
Our designers can create a stunning new look for you in an afternoon! Located at The Village at Lee Branch
980-1898
Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am -6pm
www.pastperfectstore.com
Heritage Medicine Now Open in Greystone
Services: • • • • • • •
• •
Family Medicine Preventive Medicine Bioidentical Hormones Medical Weight Loss B12/Lipo Shots and Appetite Suppressants Women’s Health Medical Aesthetics • BOTOX • Dermal Fillers • LED light therapy Occupational Medicine House Call Services available
That’s Life by Paul Johnson
Turning Circles So I was standing in the middle of the deli at Publix, turning circles, holding a Cuban sandwich. And I realized, “I’m standing in the middle of the deli at Publix, turning circles, holding a Cuban sandwich. Though dressed nicely, I must look pretty ridiculous. I wonder if anyone has noticed and thought, ‘Who is that nicely dressed man turning circles in the middle of the deli at Publix holding a… what is that… a Cuban sandwich? Hmm, sounds good.’” So I stopped. Someone bumped me as they hurried past me, grabbed a Cuban and headed for the checkout line. (The Cubans at Publix are rather good and less than the cost of a sandwich at your average sandwich shop). I listened to myself breathe for a moment or two, and then I noticed what was around me. When I did this, the answer, I realized, was right there beside me, in the hot section of the deli, beside the chicken fingers, chicken wings, and macaroni and cheese. And all it took for me to notice was being still, taking in my surroundings, and remembering; rather than freaking out because I didn’t know what to do and being consumed with getting it right, which led to circle turning, in Publix, with a sandwich in my hand. Yes, I know you’re thinking, “What’s he talking about?” My answer is, “Does it matter?” I could be talking about deciding what to get my wife for dinner, or I could be talking about recovering from an unexpected disaster (which I will in just a second). The answer is the same—it begins with being still, then noticing what’s around you and then remembering. I spent the afternoon and evening of April 27 with my family in the basement of my brother-in-law’s home in Eagle Point. I watched in horror the worse thing I’ve ever seen live on TV. I later experienced a measure of survivor’s guilt and have wanted everyday to get out there and help with the cleanup and recovery. I’ve been on edge on the inside, turning circles, asking, “What do I do, what do I do, how can I help, what do I do? “ This is a familiar pattern for me: turning circles, asking, “What do I do, what do I do, how can I help, what do I do?” In doing so, I wear out a spot in the carpet as well as create chaos with my anxiety. I worry about doing the right thing, and by right, I mean the perfect thing, in order to please someone, in order for them to be pleased with me (which is the real issue).
On Sunday, May 1, we had our third son dedicated at church. I felt rather uneasy participating in such a rite of passage in the middle of announcements of what could be and needed to be done for disaster victims. My pastor reminded me that it was perfect timing. He said that all of life goes on and that a dedication is a good reminder that in the midst of the tragic new beginnings occur, a circle of a different kind. I listened and noticed that my son gave a few heavyhearted people a smile that morning and a renewed energy for the tasks ahead of them, perhaps to dig out another’s newborn clothing from the rubble. I sat in the service and listened some more. Recovery from April 27 will be an earnest endeavor for the next 10, the next 100, the next 1000 days. Especially the 1000, in all facets of life, but especially in the emotional and relational. And I remembered, that’s what I do—help in the recovery of the emotional and the relational. That will be my work, my effort, my contribution. And that is true for any of us. When we come to our senses and realize that we are turning circles in the most unusual of places (though perhaps nicely dressed), we must choose to be still and notice our surroundings. In doing so, we will hear what is at the heart of our anxiety, our desire to do and be good. And then we will notice our options, and in noticing our options, we will remember what we know. Then it will occur to us, “I know this,” and we will match what we see with what we know with what we want. The result tends to be right, and it tends to be good. I sat beside my wife as she polished off the last remnants of the greens, corn, and okra and tomatoes (that sat beside the chicken fingers, wings, and mac and cheese). She sipped her drink, sighed, turned to me and said, “Perfect.” I had gotten it right. Which was good. To talk further about listening or recovering, please consider Samaritan Counseling Center for your counseling or consultant needs. Especially if you know or notice someone experiencing deeper difficulty in the recovery from the storms of April 27, contact us to see what we may be able to do. You may reach us at 967-3660 or online at www.samaritancc.org. Paul Johnson is the executive director as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate licensed counselor at Samaritan.
Eagle Point Golf hosts junior event
Matthew N. Parker, M.D.
Heritage Medicine 5479 Highway 280, Suite 114
(205) 637-3469
Monday through Friday 9a.m. to 5p.m.
The Eagle Point Golf Association is sponsoring their Junior Drive, Chip and Putt Contest on June 21 from 5 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. The event is open to golfers age 5 to 17 and will be held at the Eagle Point Golf Club. The driving contest consists of each competitor hitting two drives, each measured for distance and accuracy. The longest drive that stays within set boundaries will be scored. For the chipping contest, competitors chip three balls onto the green pre-marked with concentric circles. Balls that land in the innermost circles will score the highest points, with bonus points awarded for any chip that goes in the cup. The putting contest consists of putting two balls, one five feet from the hole, the other 15 feet. The objective will be to sink the putts in as few strokes as possible with a maximum of three putts per ball. Trophies will be given to the first, second and third place winners for each contest by age level. A registration form is available online at www.eaglepointgolfassoc.com, and registration is limited to the first 80 junior golfers. A $5 registration fee is required and
Previous participants in the Eagle Point Golf Association’s Junior Drive, Chip and Putt Contest wait their turn. Photo courtesy Eagle Point Golf Association.
should be submitted with the entrance form. Each participant receives a T-shirt, ribbon and golf etiquette book. Hamburgers, chips and drinks will be served to participants. For more information, go to www. eaglepointgolfassoc.com