Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day. Let’s share love all the time, not just on dates set aside for such things. Do something for your mates and friends are year long. It will make you feel so good.

Now we will look to the next special occasion — Easter. So much love was shared when Jesus died on the cross. He loved us so much that he gave his life to save a dying world; if that’s not love then what can I say is Love?

Celebrate Healthy Heart by wearing red all month long. We can make a difference. We encourage others to wear red. Sometimes all we need is a sign to make the needed change in our lives.

Prayer breakfast is wonderful here at the center every Monday at 9:30 with the Rev. Regina Boney on every 1st and 3rd as the selected speaker for the remainder of the month. Recently, I listened to a testimony from a 93-year-old lady,Ms. Fannie Johnson, and she said folks asked her what is the secret of her long life. She said she treats people like she wants to be treated and stay sconnected to the Lord. Respect elders and you’ll have long years. Ms. Fannie is very amazing!!

I just read an article that stuck with me (Smile) — Women are like Tea Bags!! You never know how strong they are into you put them in hot water. It’s a quote Eleanor Roosevelt.

Please join us on February 20 as we celebrate Black History Month. We will have special speaker, good singing and lots of ole-timey food, like dried peas, collards, liver pudding, ham hocks, chitterlings, fried chicken, bake sweet potatoes, fat back, potato pudding and corn bread; boy I’m getting hungry talking about it. Come out and share some of your ole timing food and talent.

The seniors are back in the sewing mode as we were blessed with a donation of material. They are planning to put a quilt together soon. If you want to stitch a few come on over. The more the merrier. It will certainly draw your memories back to the Back to the Shade Tree Days “Don’t you remember when they had quilting days. In my neighborhood who ever held the quilting, made a big feast what happen to those days?

The Garland Garden Club will present the different trees of the Bible on Monday Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at First Baptist of Garland. The public is invited; for more information call Billy Devane.

The Garland Seniors will go shopping in Wilmington at the Independence Mall and The Cotton Exchange; we will have lunch at Carolina BBQ. Our final stop will be at the Eagle Island Store where Ms. Lillie Thomas likes to stock up on ole-timey butter. If you have not been to Eagle Island you have missed a treat.

Some true words to live by: don’t let anyone ever dull your sparkle. Things have a way of working out. Vincent Van Goga, wrote I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic, than to love people. If you have good thoughts, things will shine out of your face like sun beams, and you will always look lovely. Roald Dahl you can’t live a positive life with a negative mind. So surround yourself with positive successful people. Find some time to laugh, to laugh until your stomach hurt. Let’s sum it up with a quote “Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too. If we can live by these words life would be much better. May you leave a mark in life!! Let it be, May the life I live speak for me.

Spend time with family Under the Shade Tree; Live, Laugh and Love until next time. Smile Keep Smiling!