November 28, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 8

Page Text

Community November 28, 2020 About Life. Forgotten CASA Volunteer Sworn in By Glynda Lomax “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger Patsy Sullivan of Elk City abuse and neglect. They are for bread.” ~ Mother Teresa was recently sworn to serve asuprooted from the only family Not long ago there was an elderly woman who lived alone CASA of Western Oklahoma's following the death of her husband. She was a sweet and car- they've known, and their world ing person, always looking for someone she could help or en- newest volunteer in the 2nd Ju- is turned upside down. Highly- courage, someone she could do something nice for. Whenever a dicial District by Judge Pat Ver- friend, neighbor, relative or even a stranger she heard of was in trained court appointed special Steeg. She is a wife and mother need, Mary was the first person to show up with condolences, of three children. Her husband advocate (CASA) volunteers get casseroles and good cheer. She delighted in helping others and Frankis employed in the oil and to know the children and are by bringing comfort. It was more difficult now that she lived in a wheelchair. gas industry. Upon being offi- their side, advocating for their She had shared a good life with her soft spoken husband for cially sworn Patsy expressed, “I best interests in the courtroom all of their marriage and spent many lonely evenings in her am excited to have the opportu- and community. small apartment following his passing. nity to speak up for a child and She sat in her loneliness one day trying to escape into a mov- hopefully make a difference in For more information about ie. She longed for company, just someone to talk to. She prayed the life of a child.” Court Appointed Special Advocates someone would come by and just sit with her awhile, talk to her, brighten her existence just a little so that she might bear the Bach year, thousands of chil- and the next upcoming training, pain of missing her husband and the loneliness of being a widow dren in Oklahoma are removed contact Brenda Christian at bren- a little more easily. She often sat with tears streaming down her from their homes because of daecasawok.org. face, she missed her family so much, she missed her husband, and she longed to know how her children and grandchildren were, She longed to hear the details of their days. ‘A few towns away, her son thought I should phone Mom and check on her, but then he remembered his favorite team was Christmas playing football on television that evening and he forgot. Not far away, her granddaughter thought Maybe I’ll go by and see Grandma today. But then one of her friends called wanting Basket to go shopping and she forgot. Ina nearby town, an in-law thought I should go and visit Mary ‘The number to call to receive today. But then she remembered there was a movie on television a basket 580-225-3522, she really wanted to see and she forgot. Donations received: ‘Across town, her sister thought I should take Mary some of this casserole, it’s her favorite. But then she remembered she Dr. Dan and Susan Storm. wanted to shop the big sale at her favorite store and she forgot. $100.00 A neighbor two doors down thought I have all these maga- Ed Phillip family- owners zines and newspapers, I bet Mary would enjoy reading some of these. I should take these down to her. But then her phone rang of McDonald's donated hams and she forgot. costing more than $4,000.00 Day after day, Mary sat alone in her apartment wishing Knights of Columbus - for someone to talk to, someone to exchange ideas with. She thought of her family and how much she loved them. She longed $200.00 to hear from them and also to check on friends but could no lon- James and Judith Brown ger see to dial the phone and with crippling arthritis she could $200.00 no longer walk down the hall to check on her neighbors. Month after month, year after year, her life become one end- Bob and Lynn Kennemer less day after another of loneliness with few visits from those $50.00. she had loved all her life. One day, sitting alone in her apartment, Mary passed away. Newly remodeled Walmart provides Alone, she had not had a visitor for more than three months. Everyone showed up at the funeral dressed in their finest clothing, Everyone talked about how much they loved Mary and what a wonderful person she had been in life. How sad, they said, that she was gone now. With tears in their eyes, they spoke of how much they would miss her. Then they quickly left for they all had many things to do that day. Elk City customers a better way to shop ‘Though these were the people who had been Mary's first pri- Elk City store improvements include new look and ority all her life and she loved them with all her heart, all those Mary knew and loved quickly moved on with their own lives and all but forgot her when she became disabled. They quickly dis- missed thoughts that she might be lonely or in need thinking someone else will go see her. Maybe next week... And next week became next month and then next year.....until finally no more weeks were left. As it turned out, the people Mary loved did not feel and department transformations Jove so well in return. They were first priority to her, but she was of no priority to them. ‘We are the ones who lose when we brush aside those who have grown frail and elderly for their wisdom and experience are great. We can never know the memories that could have been when we do not take the time out of our lives to serve them in their latter years. It only takes a little time to give of ourselves to others. It only requires a little effort to offer the gift of com- panionship to someone who may have little else to look forward to. They do not expect gifts or expensive meals, they are grateful just for interesting conversation or someone to pray with. If you have forgotten about someone you love and left them sitting lonely some place wishing for a visit from you, remem- ber....someday it may be someone else who forgets you. ‘When we lose one we love, our bitterest tears are called forth by the New signage correlating with the Walmart app, updated bold typeface to spotlight sections and an expanded Electronics Depart- memory of hours when we loved not enough.” ~ Maurice Maeterlinck, ment are available at the Elk City Supercenter. Courtesy photos. Wisdom and Destiny, 1901 ELK CITY - As Elk City resi- with the Walmart app tomers shopping using SNAP precautions include enacting TT 7G Wear lly for dents begin their holiday shop- + Expanded Beer and Wine also have the option to use pick- deep-cleaning and_ sanitizing ping, they can get a first look at Section up services. protocols with guidance from the newly remodeled Walmart + Renovated Deli and Produce ‘Walmart Pay - Walmart Pay the CDC, requiring all associ- Supercenter at 210 Regional Area is a touch-free way to pay. ates to wear masks at all times + Expanded Electronics De- Pickup Towers - Much like awauna Christaas! Dr. The remodel is one of two Walmart Supercenters in the partment a high-tech vending machine, and more. Additional details can be found at: https://corporate. state to receive the new store + Updated Baby Department the tower allows customers to walmart.com/here-for-you. look and feel, which creates a with Stroller Garage choose from millions of items About Walmart in Oklahoma seamless shopping experience ‘As part of the remodel, the available on Walmart.com and Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) between the store, online and store gave $3,500 total to lo- select the Pickup option at helps people around the world save mobile app. The new store de- cal organizations including: checkout. money and live better - anytime sign is keyed to the Walmart Friends of the Elk City Carn- ‘The upgrades will also com- and anywhere - in retail stores, app and elevates the customer egie Library, Call to Recovery, plement the measures the com- online and through their mobile devices. In Oklahoma we serve shopping experience by guiding the City of Elk City and the Boy pany has taken in its U.S. stores customers at 135 retail units and customers through the store. Scouts of America. to help protect associates and online through Walmart Online The remodel also includes Walmart will continue to in- customers from the ongoing Grocery, Walmart.com and our several department transforma- novate to help customers save COVID-19 pandemic. family of brands. We are proud tions and expansions to benefit time and money by giving them As an essential business and to employ 31,762 associates in customers. the option to shop when, where a member of the Elk City com- Oklahoma. Walmart supports lo- “We're excited for Elk City and how they want, utilizing munity, Walmart understandscal businesses, spending $491.8 Shoppers to see this new design services such as: the role it plays in providing million with OHahoma suppliers just in time for the holidays,” Walmart+ — Walmart’s new customers with food, medicine in FY20 and supporting 37,541 said Store Manager Michael membership program offers and other critical items. supplier jobs. Walmart contin- Alonzo. “The updated bold sig- members unlimited deliveries, Examples of the measures the ues to be a leader in employment nage will help direct our cus- fuel discounts and access to company has taken to help keep opportunity, sustainability, and tomers throughout the store to convenient Scan and Go Tech- customers and associates safe corporate philanthropy. In FY20, save time and energy. We also nology so customers can scan from the impact of COVID-19. Walmart and the Walmart Foun- expanded our Grocery Pickup their items as they stop in store ‘The photos above are available dation contributed more than $31 service, to provide customers and pay using the Walmart app. for download here. million in cash and in-kind dona- more opportunities to shop Pickup - Walmart’s pickup ‘Along with the upgrades to tions to local nonprofits in Oklaho- safely.” option gives customers the con- the store, Walmart will continue ‘ma. Additional information Customers will enjoy addi- venience of shopping online and to help protect its associates Walmart can be found by vi tional store improvements such the ease of quickly picking up and customers from COVID-19 our corporate website and our In- For a chance to win this beautiful as: groceries without leaving their through the extensive mea- stagram, Facebook and Twitter + Updated signage correlating cars at no additional cost. Cus- sures put in place. These safety channels. fireplace on Deemeber 19 2020 = 1 Yes Finance Subscribe ENS a 1414 West rd Street, Elk City o 980-225-1525 109 W. Broadway Elk City "$50. $75 Year I at 580-225-3000