The Chatter Box
By Deborah Bennett

We have a wind chime on our back porch that makes beautiful "music" when the wind is blowing. Many times I have been struck by the thought that without the wind, I could not enjoy the wind chime. Amid the rush and noise of the howling wind, there is also a beautiful melody playing. I just have to train my ears to listen for it.

I suppose it is the same principle as listening to the music above the static on the radio. If we can learn to tune out the "noise" and only hear the "music", why is it that we have not learned to focus on the positive attributes of our lives instead of the negative?

We compile a prayer list in our ladies Sunday School class each Sunday. Listing those with needs and requests is always easy, but when we are asked to list "praises," a silence often falls over the room as we take a few moments to "think about it." Although we all have many things for which to be thankful, actually having to list them seems to be difficult.

I think this is because we tend to take the blessings of life for granted. We have somehow trained ourselves to listen for the "wind" rather than the "music."

The wind chime on my back porch has come to serve as a reminder to me that the music and blessings of life exist along side the wind and noise. It is, therefore, up to me to determine to which I will listen. I prefer the music!

******

The annual Relay for Life is gearing up this week with a Chili Cook-off 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Planters Electric Membership Corporation. Those attending will have the opportunity to select a "People's Choice" by making donations for their favorite pot of chili.

I doubt there are few within our community who have not been touched by cancer in some way, either personally or through a loved one or friend. It is a devastating disease, long overdue for a cure.

The event is also an informational and organizational meeting. So show your support of this worthwhile cause by your presence at the Chili Cook-off.

******

Happy birthday this week to: Betty Caffey, Elizabeth Daniel, Anijah Malae Coney, Jackie Burke, Lisa Williams, Dallas Washburn, Daniel Rhodes, Mike Reeves, Sarah Moncrief, Dale Wiggins, Jodi Thomas, Nathan Johnson, Edgar Miller, Stanley Thompson, Edwin Taylor, Louise Felburg, Gladys Parrish, Mary Burke, Kneisha Newton, Lee Fulcher and Hester Oglesby.

******

Celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are: Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Kent and Mr. and Mrs. Jody Bowers.

******

Military Active Duty List: Capt. Donald Slade Burke, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, Calif.; SPC Grade E4 Arthur Lamont Milton Jr., HHC 1-36 Infantry Support, Friedberg, Germany; Staff Sgt. Gilbert C. Sheppard III, 48th Brigade, 118th Field Artillery, Ft. Stewart; Petty Officer 2nd Class Jamie A. Yager, U.S. Navy, Maryland; Petty Chief Officer Andy D. Crosby, U.S. Navy, Elroy Destroyer, Norfolk, Va.; Stephanie Crosby, R.N., U.S. Navy, Lafayette Destroyer; LCPL Dwain "Cade" Lee, 1st Marine Division Combat Service Support Group II Security Element, ArRamadi, Iraq; Jimmy Cooper, U.S. Army National Guard, 878th Engineering Battalion- Augusta, Persian Gulf ; 1st Lt. J.R. Taylor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Iraq; SPC. Daniel Stuart, 18th MEDCOM, 121 General Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Capt. Andrew P. Thomas, U.S. Marines, 2nd Marine Division, F.A.S.T. Company, Yorktown, VA; Sgt. 1st Class Steven Yager, 362nd Sig. Company, Korea; MM3 Jeffrey Sweat, U.S. Navy, USS Kauffman, MM3 59/E-Division, A-Gang, Norfolk, Va.; Cpl. Larry Lamont Clark, U.S. Marine Corp, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Bagdad, Iraq; Khan Young, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, Persian Gulf; Robert Milton Jr., E- 3, U.S. Army, Ft. Stewart, Hinesville, Ga., Mission Kuwait; SFC Ronnie Perryman, E-7, Georgia Army National Guard, Battery A, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team; Arnold R. Mosley, 2nd Lt., U.S. Air Force, Randolph AFB, Texas; and Debra A. Mosley, Tech. Sgt., U.S. Air Force, Randolph AFB, Texas.