UPS & DOWNS, October 1998 

Welcome to new residents Nicole, Jordan and Patty; Shonie; Alisha; Carmen; and Sandy.

 Correction:  In our last month's newsletter, we misspelled the name of our youngest resident:  Jaime, Stephanie's son, whose date of birth was September 16, 1998.

 Farewell and good wishes to Susan, Tonya, Cathy, Cindy and Matt, and Anna.

 Happy Birthday! to October birthday celebrants volunteer Kathy Gerber (Oct.5) and resident Heather, whose birthday was Oct. 8.

 Welcome back to Leona Papagno, our art group leader.  All month Leona has been leading art groups at Wayfarers' and at Clairvaux Farm.

 Welcome, too, to Erin Youngman, a new volunteer who on Thursday afternoons tutors anyone at Wayfarers' who wishes to learn more about using a computer.

 And welcome to volunteers Sarah and Katie, who come on Thursdays from Prof. Veness's honors colloquium: Home and Homelessness in the geography department at the University of Delaware.  You will find them doing all sorts of helpful tasks, like organizing children's books, videos for young and adult residents, reorganizing the linen and clothing supply room.  We are grateful, Katie and Sarah.

 Congratulations to Terri, who recently earned her Level I certificate in the parenting group, and to Linda, who has completed her Level II requirement of attending 16 session of the group.  Our thanks to Schaunel Steinnagel for bringing residents from the Farm to parenting group and to Marsha Mazza for seeing that we have child care for the offspring while their mothers are attending the group.

 More congratulations to Carmen, in her new job at Laurel Nursing home and to Sandy, who is to start work there Monday.  Further accolades to Debbie, who now works at Union Hospital in the Dietary Department, where Denise works.

 Our sympathy to Marsha Mazza and all her family in the grave illness of her mother.

 WISH LIST FOR WAYFARERS' HOUSE

 Canned food
Bleach, disinfectant
Laundry & dish soap
Coffee, sugar
General office supplies
Linens:
sheets, pillows and pillow cases, blankets, towels and wash cloths
Paper products: paper napkins, towels
33-gallon trash bags
Baby diapers (all sizes) and first-aid supplies

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

by Sharon Gatelein-Parker

Way, way back in 1956 when I was in the first grade, I had a little schoolmate who lived at the Byrd Home for Girls.  This was a temporary home for girls whose fathers had died and whose mothers were reentering the work force and would unite with their daughters as soon as they were settled. The Byrd Home was situated on the edge of Clarke Park in West Philadelphia.

One day, I was invited there for lunch.  The Home vehicle picked us up at school.  It had the name on the sides (like the Meeting Ground van).  After lunch, I was taken on a tour of this old Victorian house with lots and lots of windows (just like Wayfarers= House).  The room in which my little friend stayed consisted of four metal beds on one side of the room; eight in all (just like the third floor attic at Wayfarers= House where the women without families sleep). And one bathroom for all eight (just like at Wayfarers= House).

I was captivated by all of this and couldn=t wait to go home and tell my mother about this adventure.  Everything went well until I got to the part where I said I would like to go live there.  My mother started out by saying, AYes , it=s true; your father has passed away, and you could go live there; but why would you want to leave the security of a house that is paid for, your very own room, and wanting for nothing?@  I couldn=t answer her.  I just knew I did. 

Isn=t life funny?  When you take something for granted, it will crop up later (even some 40 years later) to see if you learned anything. 

I have.  I thank God every night for Wayfarers= House.  

EVERYBODY NEEDS TIME ALONE
Just as we all need company some of the time (if we aren=t hermits), we also need solitude part of the time.  Last week we asked two of our residents where they liked to go for time alone and what activities they found were good for recreating.