Page 3 - Summer 2019 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine - Online Magazine
P. 3

a


                                                                                           letter



               One Wednesday morning back in April, I was driving my 7  grader and her friends   from
                                                               th
               to school. The stories for this edition were swirling through my mind. My daughter
               was holding a cheesecake we had baked together. It would be delivered to the   the
               Hospice of Lubbock bake sale after I dropped them off. A short conversation
               ensued among the girls about meeting to bake cheesecakes for their respective
               Easter dinners. Our three-year-old was singing along to a VeggieTales song on   publisher
               her DVD. As I pondered what to say in this issue’s editorial, I was caught up in the
               message from Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber:

               He has a shoe, and I have a pot,
               But when we look deeper, there’s more
               that we’ve got.
               God made us special, and now I can see
               If you’re special to Him, then you’re special
               to me.

               If you see someone who’s hurt or in need,
               Maybe it’s time to perform a good deed.
               And when you’ve finished, you’ll find that
               it’s true-
               When you make them feel better, you’ll
               feel better too.
               Love your neighbor.
               The lyrics suddenly seemed eloquent as the
               honorees for this issue paraded through my
               thoughts. I knew months ago the Summer
               edition would have something to do with
               knowing your neighbor. We asked several
               people to write with this theme in mind
               and gained valuable insight as people wrote about relationships that varied from city blocks to churches to
               senior living communities.
               Lubbock is an amazing community because of the people, and the following stories illustrate why. Brad and
               I are blessed to live on a block that is known for its neighborliness.  It is generationally diverse, with many of
               the homes still inhabited by the ones who built them in the 60’s and a younger generation slowly moving in.
               We take advantage of every opportunity to connect with each other - an Easter Egg Hunt and door-to-door
               Christmas caroling. But summer is my favorite. Our street is blocked off for an entire evening, and everyone
               comes together for a block party. The big potluck picnic is a glorious celebration as the seniors reminisce about
               block parties of decades past, younger adults interact and children play, all while getting to know (and love)
               each other better.

               Summer also makes it easier for our girls to learn the importance of staying connected. Our three-year-old
               accompanies me on walks with our elderly neighbors. Our active nine-year-old rides bikes with friends of all
               ages, and our 11- and 12-year-olds are the first to think of baking brownies if someone new moves in.
               Hopefully, the stories in this issue will encourage you to reach out to your neighbors, whether they live on your
               block, work alongside you, or attend classes, meetings or church with you. A community is stronger when its
               residents know and trust each other. Loving your neighbors is a worthy endeavor.

               One more thing - if you know a WWII veteran, consider writing his or her story for our upcoming Fall edition.
               Or maybe you know a couple with a great love story you could share for our Winter edition. Every story we
               share brings us all closer together.
                                                                                                Erin Agee


                     {    Thank you to those who have written in this edition, for sharing your knowledge   {



                           and stories and helping to Link us.  And thank you to the advertisers who make
                              this magazine a reality.  Without all of you this would not be possible.
                                                                                             Lubbock Senior Link   3
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8