ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: FOR SENIORS
SOURCE: TRACY WHITAKER
Last week, my Mom and I watched my oldest son, back straight and a bounce in his step, walk to the stage at Radford University's Dedmon Center, shake hands with his principal, and receive his high school diploma.
The chair beside me could have been empty: the previous week, Mom was involved in a serious automobile accident. Were she not wearing her seat belt, she might have missed her first grandchild's graduation. Had she not been in God's keeping, the privilege of turning her blue eyes toward another of the country sunrises that she loves so dearly may never have been hers again.
As Jay made his way to the stage, he scanned the rows of seats until he found us. He flashed us a winning smile and a broad wink.
My throat tightened and I glanced at Mom.
Her smile was bright beneath dark glasses covering a shiner that would have made George Foreman wince. She wore the glasses not out of vanity but because they were the only pair of prescription eyeglasses left her: the ones she wore every day were shattered in the car crash. We found their bloodied frames lying in scattered glass and shards of metal along the roadside where the accident occurred. The driver of the other vehicle was unharmed and neither was cited, but Mom was hospitalized for a couple of days.
Mom lifted her uninjured arm and gave Jay the biggest wave she could muster.
Just for an instant, as my son smiled up at us, I couldn't help but picture how different his face might have looked as he walked up to receive that diploma had my mother not performed a very simple, but life-saving task. I was very grateful that she had fastened her seat belt that Friday morning before she got in her Blazer and headed to work. The accident crushed the driver's side of her vehicle and, most likely, would have taken her life had she not been belted in.
When the lifesaving crew arrived, they found my mother unconscious and suspended upside-down, the seat belt that had kept her safe and alive still securing her. She doesn't remember much about the accident, but aches from bruises, the concussion, the broken collarbone and fractured ribs and the gash at her temple serve as constant reminders.
Years ago when my sons were still in elementary school, they cajoled, nagged and finally downright demanded that my mother always wear her seat belt after they noticed that she often did not. Since her grandsons extracted the promise that she would always buckle up, she has made a point of doing so every time she enters a vehicle.
That Friday morning was no exception.
And for that my sons and I are exceptionally thankful.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 10 a.m., both Christianburg groups go to SHARE.
* Thursday, 10 a.m., Blacksburg Group will go to SHARE.
* Monday, 9 a.m., quilters meet at Courthouse Annex; 10:30 a.m., Shawsville Group will clean up at Pandapas Pond and have a picnic lunch.
* Tuesday, 2 p.m., Warm Hearth Group will host Brookmeade birthday party.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
* Today, van departs at 11:15 a.m. for Red Lobster, Christiansburg for lunch: 5:30-8 p.m., dance at the Senior Center.
* Saturday, van departs at 8 a.m. for Art Train Tour in Pulaski. Transportation is $3.
* Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Conversation and Coffee at 9:30 a.m., discussion at 10-11:30 a.m., "Early Response," learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Speaker is Jody Smith, registered nurse at Radford Community Hospital.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Friday, van departs at 8:30 a.m. for Shatley Springs, in Ashe County, N.C. Transportation is $4 for seniors; $8 for ages 21-54.
* Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Senior Yard Sale, National Guard Armory. Ages 55 and older, $2 per table.
* June 26, 9 a.m., van departs for Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, "A General and His Lady," in Ferrum. Cost for ticket, buffet and transportation is $16.50 for seniors; $19 for ages 21-54.
* June 28, 7:45 a.m., van departs for Museum of American Frontier Culture, Staunton. Admission and transportation is $10.50 for seniors; $14.50 for ages 21-54.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Today, 5 p.m., AARP Potluck Dinner.
* Friday, 9:15 a.m., van departs for trip to Mabry Mill.
* Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., free concert in Bisset Park.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Thursday, 10 a.m., walking at Old Orchard.
* Friday, noon, AARP No. 502 meets.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Carolyn Duncan, 980-1000:
* Today, 11:30 a.m., Dine 'Round Club leaves center for Red Lobster in Christiansburg.
* Tuesday, 9 a.m., van departs for Tanglewood Mall. Transportation is $3. |Senior| |Shorts| * New River Community College 18th Annual Poetry Contest: Deadline for entry is July 31. Poems must be original, never before published and less than 60 lines in length. Writer's name and address should be included on each entry. Open to men and women 60 years of age and older. Send poems to Poetry, Arts and Sciences Division, New River Community College, P.O. Box 1127, Dublin, Va. 24084.
* Basic Genealogy - How To Get Started: Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Extension Education Room, New River Community College. Instructor is Elinor Morgan, family genealogist. Call Virginia Cooperative Extension, Pulaski Unit, at 980-7761 by June 24.
* Concerts in Bisset ParkTuesday, 7 p.m., Blacksburg Community Band concert, Bisset Park, Radford. Free. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634.
* Senior Dances: Wednesdays, 5:30-8 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
* Senior Yard Sale: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Christiansburg National Guard Armory. Table spaces are available to ages 55 and older and cost $2, limit 3. Registration deadline is June 20. Sponsored by the Christiansburg Senior Center. Call 382-8173.
* Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 years or older. New River Valley Agency on Aging, 980-7720 or 639-9677.
* Senior Centers: offer a variety of ongoing activities, trips and classes. Call for a newsletter and a calendar of events.
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