THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610240134
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: RITES OF PASSAGE
FIFTH IN A SERIES
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, FROM BIRTH TO OLD AGE, IN WORDS AND PICTURES,
IN SEVEN PARTS
SOURCE: By DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
During the winter of 1776-1777, Thomas Paine made his famous plea to the Revolutionary-era colonists to keep up the good fight. His words could apply to a less-celebrated, but sometimes equally heroic endeavor: coping with the late 20th century as an adult.
``These are the times that try men's souls.''
Juggling work and family life.
``The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.''
Mortgages.
``Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.''
College tuition.
``What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.''
Caring for aging parents.
``I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on THIS state or THAT state, but on EVERY state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake.''
Layoffs.
``Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but `show your faith by your works,' that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all.''
Sharing your experience with youth.
``The heart that feels not now, is dead: the blood of his childeren will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made THEM happy.''
Adulthood. Being really grown up.
``I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.'' MEMO: NEXT SATURDAY: RETIREMENT ILLUSTRATION: PHOTOS BY BILL TIERNAN
The Virginian-Pilot
FIRST HOUSE
While their new home was being built in Portsmouth over the summer,
Lorenzo and Jacqueline Akins and their daughters, Ashley, 10, and
Lauren, 6, gathered every evening to survey the day's progress, then
held hands and prayed. On a Friday evening just before Labor Day,
the Akinses realized one of their dreams: They moved into their
first house.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
For three years, John Curtis Jr., a Navy petty officer, has been Big
Brother to James, 13, taking him on picnics, helping him with
schoolwork, even giving him haircuts (right) - but most important,
just being there for him. Recently, Curtis learned he was being
transferred overseas for a tour of duty as a drug counselor. And so
on a Saturday in August, he and James walked along the beach at Fort
Story (above), as they often had when they had things to talk about
- but this time there was mostly silence as they dealt with their
impending separation. by CNB