Need More Coupons - MyLivingMagazine.com Best Selection of Lampshades in Florida! Custom Made Lamps & Shades ... Bring Your Lamp for a Proper Fit!
10 OFF
$
772.221.0222 Cedar Pointe Plaza 2461 SE Ocean Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996
39.00 and Up
$
ANY SHADE IN THE STORE
• Expert Lamp Repair & Restoration • Bring In Your Lamp For A Proper Fit!
Expiration 2/18/22
For What It’s Worth
W
hen I first arrived in Florida many years ago, I longed for my old home, my old friends, and my home state. I made it a point to refuse to accept that I had been displaced, following my husband’s career to a place I didn’t understand, and didn’t want to. The heat, for one thing, was unbearable, and rather than a rainstorm cooling the air, it simply multiplied the humidity even worse than it was before. The people seemed nice, suspiciously nice, because where I came from, people didn’t speak to people they didn’t know, didn’t greet perfect strangers with a random hello, and certainly didn’t hug each other at any opportunity that came by. I didn’t understand how the sidewalk were conspicuously missing, and most adults and children simply walked in the street. I thought it was unsightly that people kicked their shoes off, at every opportunity, walking barefoot on the lawn. The sun seemed to hand longer in the sky, and daylight was an insufferable nuisance when attempting to put children to bed. Then there was island time, as I called it, where no 54
VOL. 533 D
by Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.
one seemed to care much about being late, and no one was called to task.
that grow happily in almost every part of the landscape. My personality had Then there was the omission shed its sarcasm, of car inspections, and pop-up and in its place, shops seemingly overnight. The someone much nicer opposite was true as well, as appeared. I cared storefronts changed hands in days, about others, and and what was once there, was no the environment, I longer. Celebrating the holidays talked to butterflies seemed fake and out of place, with and lizards, and I sun streaming in the windows, appreciated my good shining on Christmas balls with fortune of living in careless disregard. There was no paradise. snow, no icicles, and little reason For What It’s to buy winter coats or boots. People seemed happier, and that Worth, I will always was irritating, since I was used identify myself as a Jersey Girl, to complaining and miserable but my heart does beat kinder and dispositions. But then something quieter in Florida. happened. It took several decades, if we could all do one thing, because I refused to admit that give one dollar, send one prayer, it this was a beautiful place to live, wouldn’t solve the problems, but it but eventually, and before I knew would make a difference to some it, I had become a part of Florida. child, some family, and most of all, to ourselves. We are innately I noticed the magnificent a kind and generous species, and sunsets, the full moon casting now is the time to dig deep and do what you can to help. itself on the ocean, the cry of seagulls, and the dives of feeding pelicans. I knew how to identify various species of fish, and the Comments or Suggestions names of the beautiful flowers DrMelfi@mediaoms.com Copyrighted© My Living Magazines. 2022 All Rights reserved. To Advertise call 772-617-4960
