There are fewer villages today
I haven’t personally experienced the pain, grief and loss of losing a child to gun violence. I do know of someone who has, whether it is through family, friends, acquaintances of others or neighbors.
We must get out of the mindset that if it’s not my child, relative or friend, it’s not my concern.
In response to the June 18 article, “This Is Insanity,” it goes a lot deeper than that. I totally agree with and support Pike County Sheriff Wally Jones, McComb Police Chief Juan Cloy and Mayor Quordiniah Lockley, but insanity can now be used as an excuse to justify wrong behavior. Sin, all unrighteousness, is a big part of the problem.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Whatever happened to, if it’s right, it’s right; and if it’s wrong, it’s wrong? At age 65, I still have to be held accountable for my decisions and actions.
My grandchildren laugh sometimes when I tell them Granny still has to choose to do right or wrong. They believe I should know better at my age.
That’s why positive role models are so important. I use those conversations as teachable moments.
I don’t know if it’s still being taught, but children were taught “character education.” There were lessons on lying, stealing, fighting, bullying, consequences, right and wrong choices, anger, respect and so much more.
We are now living in a time of lawlessness, less parental involvement, hate, no values of honesty, immoral behavior, sinfulness and wickedness.
As a grandmother, I pray, but change has to also happen. “It takes a village to raise a child” may seem old and out of date, but it worked.
That’s also part of the problem. There are fewer villages now. Community involvement is necessary. We can’t change everybody, but do your part.
My question to you: Are you going to be part of the solution or the problem?
— Cynthia McGhee, Summit
The Omicron Federated Club's 50th anniversary
The Omicron Federated Club is grateful for the support of its 50th anniversary celebration on June 15, 2024. We are humbled by the financial gifts that will enhance the Club’s ability to continue programs that benefit our community and to contribute to worthy causes in the Pike County area. We also thank everyone who purchased ads and submitted congratulatory tributes.
Our featured speakers, forensic pathologist Zundra Bateaste Sutton and master educator Christopher Samuels, are prime examples that our work with youth over the years has been a definite success.
Many thanks to all former pre-teen and youth club members, beaus and belles, and parents who trusted us and allowed the Club to work with your daughters and sons.
We offer sincere thanks to Jack Ryan and Matt Williamson at the Enterprise-Journal for archival assistance and publicity.
— Dr. Lynda Taylor, President
— Lorraine B. Gayden, Membership and Publicity Chairman
— Bettye Nunnery, Bernice Daniels, Glenda Brock, Jacqueline Martin, Dr. Kim Daniels-Lee, Chasity Lewis, Loretta Pittman, Jeannie Smith, Emily Scott Sanders, Evelyn Williamson
When Torry became Houdini
I have a good friend that I went to visit a few days ago. She had the good fortune of someone throwing out a tiny black kitten at her house — one she hadn’t asked for and really didn’t want. Which was music to my ears.
Since we already had six dogs and five cats, I pretty well knew what Seth’s response would be about us taking the kitten. Of course, I was right. He said we already had three inside dogs and four inside cats (sometimes five), and that was enough.
He said we weren’t having any more babies inside. I knew that was my chance and I latched onto it — he didn’t say anything about outside.
So we were about to have a new family member, on that was black as coal, might have weighed a couple of pounds soaking wet and that ended up with the name Torry, short for “tornado.”
On Sunday after church, Seth and I headed out to town to find somekind of housing for little Torry. We found just the thing for him at our first stop. It seemed absolutely perfect, which it should have for $150.
It was a little wooden house with a place for him to sleep, room for his food and water bowls and his litter pan, and even a little window to let some air in.
My friend who had given me the kitten came down and we went out on the carport to see the kitten in its new house. My little baby was lying in there with its tongue hanging out. It was so hot in there that it was about to die.
We managed to get him out of his not-so-perfect house and revive him. It never occurred to me that he could get that hot on our carport in the shade and with a breeze.
Thank the Good Lord we have a dog pen in your back yard that Seth was able to patch up. We put Torry in it that night and went inside. About 9:30 p.m., we went to check on him and realized we should have named him Houdini. He had disappeared.
He showed up about 3:30 next morning and is now in solitary on bread and water.
— Debbie Touchstone, Jayess
