Paul’s “Hymn of Love” (First Corinthians 13) is one of the best-known sections of Scripture. In all my years of ministry there have been few weddings in which I have not referred to this great love reflection. When thoughts and reflections are being connected with love, none can do better than to read and spend some time with this “Hymn of Love”.
“But have not love” is an attention getting phrase that occurs three times in the first three verses of the hymn. “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels — but have not love.”
“If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains — but have not love.”
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned — but have not love.” Paul closes his last “but have not love” with the dogmatic word, “I gain nothing.” He makes his point clearly; nothing is of any use if love is missing. Bereft of love, we become less than we are as humans.
After my sermon, in a conference where I was preaching, people were in a line greeting me. I saw a woman “hanging back.” I knew she wanted a bit more time than the usual greeting and thank you. I was so moved by her affirmation and self-introduction that I spontaneously hugged her. You would have thought I had given a glass of water to a person dying of thirst, or a $1,000 to a penniless beggar. Her face was aglow. “Thank you,” she exclaimed, and added, “Nobody hugs me anymore.”
She told me more: the loss of her husband 10 years before, her children scattered and she was now living alone. She doesn’t get any hugs.
If we know we are loved — and hugging helps us to know — we can bear anything. But if we have not love, we become less than human.
It is easy to grow careless of the ones we are supposed to love. We become thoughtless of the little things that keep love alive. So we don’t hug as much as we should. We don’t speak kind and loving words to our spouses. We take each other for granted, and to take another for granted is to make them less than human.
Words and actions can wound us, but so can no words and no action. Indifference, disregard, neglect — these are the painful bullets that penetrate our hearts and bring emotional death. These deaths are silent. We don’t see them because we are not looking — we’re not listening. The ears and eyes of our hearts are closed to those around us — sometimes even to those we love.
Of all that we must be intentional about, love is paramount.
Describe your family: Wife Sheri, kids Ben & Betsy, grandchildren Sophie, Huxley, Harrison & Miles.
Describe yourself in five words: Loving, funny, inquisitive, passionate, dependable.
What do you do for fun: Follow my grandchildren, listen to music, watch documentaries, workout.
Do you have any hobbies or interests: Researching my genealogy and writing.
What is your favorite food: Tacos. Favorite song:Rhapsody In Blue by George Gershwin.
What is your favorite thing about your job: Talking to the residents. I never knew my grandparents, so they are the next best thing.
What is something you are proud of: Helping raise exceptional children who are loving, helpful and good friends to their friends.
What would you like people to know about you: During my 35 years producing television programs and custom videos, I have traveled to every state except North Dakota and Alaska.
Donald has been taking on the added duties and responsibilities of Transportation Supervisor since the position has been vacant. He is very friendly and always has a good attitude. Don has been making the schedules, assisting with the delivery of packages to residents and taking care of the transportation needs for residents and employees. We are proud to have him.
We were truly blessed when Barbara Hanrahan made the decision to make Kirby Pines her forever home in June of 2019. Barbara represents a strong Irish heritage and a devout Catholic faith. Born into an Irish family, she married an Irishman and gave her two children Irish names. Since moving to Kirby Pines, Barbara has become involved in many aspects of the life here and is a “go-to” person when something is needed. She involves herself with people and is quick to volunteer with such things as assisting someone with their meals in the dining room or delivering a meal to a shut-in. Her personal life has had several sad occasions, yet, she maintains a positive attitude and a happy disposition.
Barbara Jane Cummings was born on October 28, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of nine children, five brothers and three sisters to follow. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom and her father worked three jobs to support the family. Her grandfather started a honey-roasted peanut business in Milwaukee which remains in business today. When asked what her family life was like with so many siblings, she responded, “It was pandemonium most of the time and we ate a lot of soup and stews!” Christmas time was very special. Barbara recalls, “On Christmas Eve Day, Dad would buy a marked down tree; then we would decorate it. After dinner, Dad got us in the car and drove around the city to enjoy all the lights and decorations. Mom stayed home to let Santa in the door as we had no chimney. Poor Mom had to get all the presents ready for us!”
Barbara attended Catholic school in Milwaukee, grades one through twelve, graduating in 1956. College was not an option, so she looked for employment to support herself. She worked in the bookkeeping department of a dental company until her marriage to Bill Hanrahan on Nov. 8, 1958. She had met Bill in 1957 when she joined a church group organized for young, unmarried Catholics. Their first date included a visit to the hospital to greet Barbara’s new baby sister and later to a bowling alley for a game with Bill’s family. Bill and Barbara would later adopt two children, Kevin and Kathleen. Sadly and unexpectedly, Kevin died in 1984 while serving in the Navy. Kathleen, the daughter, remains close by. There are presently three grandsons and eight great-grandchildren in the family.
Bill was employed by the Schlitz Brewery Company in the Quality Control Division and subsequently was transferred often to manage a problem. The couple’s first move was to Kansas City, Missouri where Barbara worked in a neighborhood drug store until they adopted son Kevin in 1963. Barbara then became a stay-at-home mom and continued when she and Bill adopted daughter Kathleen following their transfer to Tampa, Florida. After four years in Tampa, Bill was promoted and the family relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They remained there for seven years and during that time, Barbara was Assistant to the Director of the Montessori School for five of those years. Bill was transferred to Syracuse, New York where according to Barbara, “We endured four harsh winters.” When the plant where Bill worked was sold, he transferred and moved the family to Longview, Texas.
Barbara at Age 6
Then in 1982, the Hanrahan family made a final move to Memphis, Tennessee. Barbara was first employed by Goldsmith’s Department Store in the Children and Baby section. Following Goldsmith’s, she worked several years for Garibaldi Jewelry Store and then for Middleton Jewelry where she remained for twenty years until the store closed in 2021. Additionally, Barbara volunteered for the St. Jude-Fed Ex Golf Tournament for twenty-six years. She also volunteers at church and continues her membership at St. Bridgid Catholic Church. Barbara and Bill enjoyed many trips abroad, visiting Hawaii, Germany, Switzerland, The British Isles and the Netherlands.
In 2012, Bill passed away after experiencing several health problems. Barbara remained in their home for seven years before deciding to make a change. “I wanted to be in a place where I did not have to worry about my future or being cared for. I chose Kirby Pines primarily because of LifeCare.”
Barbara says, “I love living at Kirby Pines because there is so much to do. I already knew several residents because of my golf and jewelry involvement. I love making new friends!” Barbara keeps busy by going to water aerobics five days a week, plays cards three afternoons a week, staffs the Blossom Shop on Saturday mornings and sings with the Entertainers Chorus. She attends mass daily, brings communion to a shut-in and is always volunteering to serve others.
Barbara wishes you a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” and to share with you her favorite Irish Blessing: May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, A moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you, Faithful friends near you. And, whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.
“The world’s most famous and popular language is music.”
Music is medicine. Music has been shown to boost the immune system, reduce stress, build self-confidence, improve learning, enhance physical exercise, reduce blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce anxiety, bring back memories, and manage moods, just to name a few of its benefits. Music has also been shown to help improve sleep quality, especially in older adults.
So, why are there all these positive benefits? Dopamine is released when the brain hears comfortable music (think classical, not heavy metal). The body feels at ease and can begin to relax. We can then connect with positive memories, and we feel more peaceful and engaged with the world.
I think it’s safe to say that most of us enjoy listening to music, and it’s common to listen to our favorite tunes as we drive, clean the house, or go for a walk. As we just learned, listening to music can have a much bigger impact than just helping to pass the time.
Here are a few different ways to reap just a few of the benefits of music:
Listen to New Music.
We tend to listen to the same music, or at least the same genre of music, that we did in our teens and 20s. New music challenges the brain in a way that old music doesn’t. It might not feel pleasurable at first, but unfamiliarity forces the brain to struggle to understand the new sound. Try listening to a different type of music than what you are used to or try listening to music your kids or grandkids enjoy.
Turn on Ambient Noise for Creativity.
If you have an important project you are working on or need to boost creativity, try listening to ambient noise (like white noise) instead. This can help to boost creativity. It sounds counterintuitive, but according to a Journal of Consumer Research study, a moderate noise volume makes processing more difficult, which in turn will promote abstract processing, which leads to higher creativity. When we struggle to process our thoughts, we turn to more creative ways to make sense of the world.
Give Classical Music a Try.
Classical music can improve visual attention. Studies have shown that those who listened to classical music showed better signs of visual attention than those who listened to white noise or silence.
Move with the Music.
Music helps us move. Throw on your favorite tunes the next time you exercise. It can help distract you, drown out any thoughts of fatigue or boredom, and even encourage you to speed up or go a little bit longer. Music clearly has a positive effect on both the brain and the body. You may find the addition of music can have a positive impact on your pain management, motivation, and mental clarity. Our therapy team at Kirby Pines can bring music into your rehabilitation experience. The next time you are sitting or working in silence, turn on your favorite radio station, ask Alexa to “play your favorite song” or pick a playlist from Spotify. There is an endless supply of musical options at your fingertips – take advantage and enjoy! For more information on the benefits of music or to learn more about music therapy and how it can benefit you, please contact the Functional Pathways Therapy Team.
Where words fail, music speaks.
Brittany Austin, National Director of Health and Wellness, Functional Pathways
Studies show that physical activity can reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. Physical activity is also important for the management of other chronic conditions that are common among adults with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Structured physical activity programs are proven to reduce symptoms and teach participants how to safely increase their physical activity to manage arthritis and other chronic conditions. Here are ten steps to help you get started and keep your exercise program going:
Find an activity you enjoy. You’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Treat workouts like commitments. Block out time on your calendar to let people know you’re unavailable.
Think like an active person. An active person thinks of ways to be active.
Make everyday activities count. Pushing a grocery cart, strolling at the mall, walking the dog and doing housework all have benefits.
Find a workout partner. Another person or group can make activities more enjoyable and help hold you accountable.
Find excuses to walk. Take a walk to your neighbor’s instead of calling.
Aim for 4,000 steps. Walking eases pain, and a recent study found that 4,000 steps a day is enough to boost longevity.
Stand up. It eases stiffness, reduces disease risk and can prolong your life.
Join a group activity. There are several chances at Kirby Pines, like yoga stretch, sit-n-stand exercise, water aerobics or line dancing.
Be mindful of pain. Some muscle aches after exercise is normal, but if pain lasts beyond two hours, do less or modify the activity.
Take advantage of the many opportunities here at Kirby Pines to stay active and physically fit. Discover miles of walking trails outside and inside. Visit the Oasis to use the equipment or to join a water aerobics class. Find your exercise class in the PAC or at home on the channel 2.1. Consult with your doctor if you need physical therapy to get started. And in a few weeks, reward yourself with a new pair of walking shoes or water bottle for sticking with your program.
Spring is finally here! At least it will be here officially on March 20, 2022. It will be a true joy to have warmer weather, a nice breeze on a bright sunny day, and to see the budding of trees on our beautiful Kirby Pines campus. In fact, the beauty of our campus will make the additional six weeks of winter Punxsutawney Phil predicted seem worth it. The sight of daffodils, irises, and azaleas in bloom will be a treat for all of us to enjoy. In fact, one of the first nice warm days of spring will be the perfect time to take a stroll outside along the many walkways as new blades of green grass come up.
Speaking of green and purple, the first day of March is Fat Tuesday, so get ready for a fun filled day. Followed by another fun filled day on the 17th as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with good Irish food in the dining room, and the “wearing of the green” by residents and staff.
Maybe one of us will even be lucky enough to find the elusive “pot of gold”, that one of the little people has hidden at the end of the rainbow after one of the spring rainfalls.
Spring is also a good time to clear out your closets of stuff no longer used or needed, and to give those items to a local charity. Kirby has been collecting unwanted eye glasses for several years now, and these always go to use as they are repurposed and given to individuals in need. If you have any eye glasses you want to donate, there is a donation box for them in the mail room.
When doing your spring-cleaning, don’t forget to check your storage bins for those items packed away and forgotten. After all, Easter will be here the third week in April and you will need that extra space in your closet for your entry into our annual Easter Hat Contest.
Spring is definitely here! So get your green clothes out of the closet and get ready for a joyful month of springtime festivities at Kirby Pines.
Michael Escamilla, Executive Director, Kirby Pines
“It isn’t any of our business, is it, Lord?” A little girl with a tender conscience asked this question in her evening prayer. She had seen a poor needy man on the street that day. “Oh, Mama,” she had said, “let’s help him.” The mother had answered, “Come along, dear. It isn’t any of our business.”
That night, when the little girl had said, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” she added, “Oh God, bless that poor man on the comer.” And then remembering her mother’s words that day, she added, “But really, it isn’t any of our business, is it, Lord?”
Unknowingly the little girl expressed a tragic fact. Many of us grow up conditioned by the feeling that the world and the people about us are none of our business. How untrue! Recall Dickens’ Christmas Carol and be haunted by those words of Jacob Marley’s Ghost. “Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop in the water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”
Everyman is our business. What happens to the person next door, down the street, across town, yes, even beyond the ocean is our business. We too easily forget one of the clearest words of Jesus, “Inasmuch as you did it unto the least of these you did it unto me.”
At our age, living in a community like Kirby Pines, it is easy to seclude ourselves, to shut off from others. We even think “other peoples’ lives are none of my business.” The fact is others are our business, and our setting gives us opportunity to take care of business by genuinely caring for one another.
Because we are “retired,” or at an age that has moved us from a former “active” life, does not relieve us the responsibility of caring. To be sure, there are needs in our community and we can focus our caring locally. But our attention must be broader. I suggest we listen to the news to keep us sensitive to the needs of the world, thus our praying can be focused. And most of us can contribute financially as well as pray. I am convinced that praying and contributing financially to causes that are serving the world is a means of grace that enables us to be more purposefully Kingdom People.
Describe yourself in five words: Caring, friendly, reliable, loving and understanding.
What do you do for fun: Enjoy family, watch movies, play games.
Do you have a pet: A Pomeranian named Pee-Wee.
What is your favorite food: Spaghetti. Favorite song:Better Days by Le’Andria Johnson.
What is your favorite thing about your job: Knowing that I provide and care for residents and put a smile on their faces.
What is something you are proud of: Thankful and blessed at the person I’ve become and that I am able to help others.
What would you like people to know about you: I am a hardworking, responsible person and I put my trust in the Lord.
Friendly, caring, team player, a support to new employees, always going the extra mile …… these are just a few words that describe Colesha Cross and why she deserves to be Employee of the Month. As a long-time employee at Kirby Pines, and as a mentor to new employees, Colesha assists in training orientees based on a team-approach, and always doing what’s best for the resident, other employees, and guests within the facility. No task is too large or small for Colesha to handle. She seeks out the appropriate support to get the job done and completes each function in an excellent manner. We are extremely proud of Colesha and all that she does for Kirby Pines and our residents.
Yes, Jim Gordon is a gem in so many ways. He is a good neighbor who bakes cookies, a man who loves his family, and a good friend to many. The fact that he is also a jeweler makes the term seem appropriate, especially for the month of February. Jim had several other jobs earlier in his life; however, he now spends two to three days a week as a consultant and seller of jewelry, concentrating on diamonds. He and his partner’s “store” is not advertised but business thrives on word of mouth recommendations.
James Aubrey Gordon is a native Memphian, born July 28, 1937. According to Jim, “We lived nearby and I was raised in the Union Avenue Baptist Church. I have one sister, four years older than I. We played outside with other neighborhood kids until we heard my father’s whistle. Then, we knew dinner was ready and it was time to come in for the night.” Jim’s father owned a jewelry store which influenced him in later life.
When Jim was four years old, the family moved to the Springdale area of Memphis which remained as his family home until age twenty-five. He attended Springdale Elementary, Snowden Junior, and Central High School, graduating in 1955. As a youngster, Jim became involved with the Boy Scouts and developed an interest in hunting and fishing. When asked about dating, Jim says he really didn’t date much as he was very shy. However, he wanted to play softball on a championship team, so Jim became a member of Springdale Methodist Church which sponsored such a team. It was at that church that Jim met the “love of his life,” Marilyn Campbell. Jim was a senior in high school and Marilyn was only a freshman but he knew that she was The One. “I never dated anyone else after I met her,” says Jim.
Smokejumper Jim
Following graduation from high school, Jim enrolled in Vanderbilt University. “It took me five and one-half years to get a degree in Economics as I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life at that time.” During two of the summers Jim was in college, he had some of the most exciting experiences of his life by becoming a Smokejumper for the US Forest Service. Based in Montana, after a thirty day orientation, Jim often parachuted from a plane with other Smokejumpers into a wilderness that had no access by any means other than by foot. After the fires were out, the Smokejumpers had to walk back. They carried with them a two day supply of rations and a sleeping bag for survival. With compasses and maps, the returning Smokejumpers could find their way to a highway where they would “thumb” their way back to base. “You had better return with your parachute!” exclaims Jim. The pay for this service was $3.50 per hour but they were paid for the walk back as well. “I made enough money to pay my tuition at Vanderbilt.”
Following graduation from Vanderbilt in 1961, Jim joined the Air Force Reserve and was activated in 1962 due to the Cuban Crisis. Fortunately, he was stationed at the Memphis Airport, assigned to Personnel Equipment. Jim had earlier asked Marilyn the “big question” and always the romantic, had placed her ring in a box of chocolates. She accepted and a wedding was planned for November. Although on active duty, Jim was granted a three day leave to get married. He and Marilyn would become parents to two “wonderful” daughters, Leigh and Nancy and now, four grandchildren have been added to the family.
Jim with his daughters
Jim’s first job was with a finance company that repossessed cars. After five years, he left for a sales position with IBM, retiring after twenty-five years. In 1991, Jim was hired to be Operations Director for the FedEx-St. Jude Golf Tournament. The tournament had been moved to a new golf course and it was Jim’s job to get the course ready. It took five years to complete the task, and he retired in 2004. Following this, Jim began his jewelry business.
Jim loved to travel but Marilyn did not like to fly. Because of their Scottish heritage, they did make a trip to England and Scotland. While there, they talked with many natives, including a Catholic priest. When the priest heard that Marilyn was a Campbell, he exclaimed, “Faith and Begorrah, your families have been fighting for over 100 years!” Marilyn had graduated from Memphis State University with a degree in Education and a Masters in Library Science, becoming Librarian for Vollentine, then, St. Mary’s Episcopal School. The Gordons eventually placed their church membership with Christ United Methodist Church. Sadly, Marilyn succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. “We had fifty wonderful years together,” says Jim. He had provided care of her for most of the last five years of her life.
After Marilyn’s death, Jim lived alone for seven years before moving to Kirby Pines in 2019. “I finally realized that fellowship is important. I investigated all options and chose Kirby Pines because of Lifecare and the beautiful campus. Golf is my passion and I play twice a week, weather permitting. Now, I have sharpened my billiard skills by playing with four ‘pool sharks’ here at Kirby. This activity makes for great discussions and gamesmanship,” says Jim. Don’t you wonder what those discussions are about?
Question: Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14, which coincides with which ancient Roman festival?
Answer: Lupercalia, a fertility festival. The festival was celebrated in honor of Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.your cognitive skills sharp and reduces your chance of experiencing memory loss. This year, make time to play games that’ll force your mind to work in overdrive.
Question: Cupid is the Roman counterpart to which Greek god?
Answer: Eros, the god of love
Question: February 14 is celebrated as National Chocolate Day in which country?
Answer: Ghana
Question: Cupid is believed to carry arrows that have tips made of which two materials?
Answer: Gold and lead. According to legend, if Cupid strikes someone with a gold arrow, they are filled with desire and love for their partner. If Cupid strikes them with a lead arrow, they fall out of love.
Question: In what year did Hallmark start selling Valentine’s Day cards?
Answer: 1913. The company began producing its own Valentine’s Day cards in 1916.
Question: Red roses are often given as a sign of love and romance on Valentine’s Day. Which Greek goddess is associated with red roses?
Answer: Aphrodite. If red roses aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other rose colors that symbolize things like friendship and joy.
Question: According to medieval Europeans, February 14 marked the beginning of mating season for which animals?
Answer: Birds. That’s why it’s common to see birds on Valentine’s Day cards as symbols of the holiday.
Question: Which company created sweetheart candies?
Answer: The New England Confectionery Company (Necco). Fun fact: Some of the most popular messages on those hearts, like “Be Mine” and “Kiss Me,” were first introduced back in 1902.
Question: Who is credited with publishing the first commercial Valentine in the United States?
Answer: Esther Howland. She started selling Valentines in her hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, and was nicknamed “The Mother of the American Valentine.” She used colorful paper and lace to create her Valentine’s Day cards.
Question: Who is the man often credited with creating the first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates?
Kirby Pines, a sister community of The Farms at Bailey Station, is part of the family of LifeCare Communities of Retirement Companies of America. For more information, visit retirementcompanies.com
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