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Wednesday, November 21, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Of a certain age…
Blessings on us all
— By Sue Stafford, Columnist —
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Pick up your
Christmas Tree Permit
and rent or purchase a
Chainsaw or Handsaw
to cut it down!
506 N. Pine St.
541-549-9631
Sales • Service • Rentals • Accessories • www.sistersrental.com
An amazing all-natural moisturizer, perfect
for our Central Oregon activities and lifestyle
Infused with organic essential oils
Four scents • Two sizes
Made in Sisters by a registered nurse
“I couldn’t fi nd a product that worked on a nurse’s
hands, so I created one!”
Call for more information, 541-420-6889
threesistersskincare@gmail.com
BEDOUIN
CLOTHING • JEWELRY
G I F T S • S T A T I O N E RY
143 E. Hood Ave. | 541-549-3079
— 8th Annual —
Holiday Faire
Located at 142 E. Main Ave. , Sisters
November 23 - December 16
Great selection handmade items
from local vendors. High quality!
Unique gifts! Free admission!
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SPONSORED BY THREE SISTERS
LIONS CLUB
As each year folds more quickly into the
next, it is evident that my financial security has
become tenuous with my retirement reserves
gone. Whenever I find my anxiety ramping up,
I turn my thoughts instead to acknowledging
all the comfort and certainty in my life.
Although I frequently weigh the pros and
cons of selling my house and downsizing to
smaller, less costly surroundings with less
upkeep, I acknowledge I am fortunate to have
a house to sell. I’m not living in my car, or
being evicted from an apartment I can no lon-
ger afford.
I have fairly decent health that allows me
to continue to live independently. For when I
need it, I have full Medicare and supplemental
health insurance that allows me to seek appro-
priate and timely medical care. I have insur-
ance that will pay for long-term care if the day
comes when I need it.
Friends and family care about me and pro-
vide love and human connections that we all
need in our lives. I am not alone or lonely, not
invisible like many elderly are.
Though I am beyond the average retirement
age, I am especially fortunate to have the abil-
ity and opportunity to engage in meaningful,
rewarding work that provides needed income
to supplement my monthly Social Security
benefits.
Living in a charming, nature-rich commu-
nity that is physically untouched by so much
of the horror filling today’s headlines and news
broadcasts allows for a comfort and continuity
that doesn’t exist for millions of people around
the globe.
I am not homeless, sick, fearful, or living
in poverty. I have much for which to be thank-
ful – now, in the past, and in the coming days.
It is incumbent upon me, with all the blessings
I have received in my life, to extend a hand to
those who have not enjoyed the good fortune
I have.
More than a duty, it is a joy to be able to
bring a little light into another’s darkness.
Many of us are easily moved at holiday times
to give money or material goods to help out
our neighbors. Such gestures are appreciated
by the agencies providing the help and those
receiving it; and I will participate again this
year.
But writing a check, dropping money in the
red kettle, buying a toy for a child or a $20
sack of groceries, although greatly appreciated
and needed, are temporary bandaids at holiday
time that don’t last.
The most precious gift I can give is to share
my time and talent all year round for the bet-
terment of our world and our neighbors —
whether here in Sisters or in a far-off place
I will never see. The gift of my time doesn’t
require money — just a willing spirit and
an open heart. A task that seems easy to me,
like changing light bulbs and batteries for an
elderly neighbor, or grocery shopping for him,
makes a big difference in his daily life and
helps him to remain in his home.
There is overwhelming fear, hatred, big-
otry and greed choking our world. Hearts and
minds are closed, unwilling to see the needs of
our brothers and sisters, whoever they may be.
Guns, bombs, walls, and empty rhetoric will
never bring lasting peace or equity. Fear breeds
fear and hatred. Love trumps fear.
I am only one person, and you are only
one person. If I greet you in hope with love,
and you do the same to another, and so on, we
can make a difference. The best gift I can give
this holiday season and all year long, is to not
lose hope — to believe my attitude and actions
can make a difference and you can make a
difference.
Despair is the enemy of hope. I will keep
my candle of hope lit so that together we can
provide light in those dark places. May the
warmth and love of this season reside in our
hearts and actions each and everyday.
Blessings on us all.
Three Sisters Lions
Club Holiday Faire
A hand-made gift can be the most thoughtful kind
of gift you can give. The Three Sisters Lions Club
Holiday Faire makes it easy to find one-of-a-kind
hand-crafted gifts of exceptional quality. Centrally
located at the corner of Hood Avenue and Elm Street,
the holiday faire runs through December 16.
From wonderful holiday décor items that will
put your home or business in the Christmas spirit, to
unique gifts that will be appreciated and handed down,
you’ll find a host of treasures at this annual event. Metal
sculpture is a big hit, as are clever “pocket purses,” hand-
crafted pottery, and blown glass — all kinds of unique gifts made
by local artisans.
And your gifts give in multiple ways. Of course they will delight the loved ones on your list.
They’ll also support the thriving arts economy in Sisters, while supporting the vital outreach
of the Three Sisters Lions Club.