FAITH IN ACTION
From time to time we receive a special story of someone or an event that exemplifies true Christian stewardship and charity. The following was submitted by Pat & Richard Tarashuk, winter residents at Indigo Creek and
“’You’ve got to be a good citizen every once in a while,’ says Paul Tarashuk, Jr. That’s how the Hunterdon Central junior modestly explained putting himself at risk on Feb. 24 to prevent an 88-year-old woman who suffers from dementia from driving into opposing traffic on Route 202-31 at the Old York traffic signal.
“State police called it bravery saying that Paul, 17 ‘showed the highest level of maturity and compassion of any citizen I’ve seen in my two-and-a-half year career as a State Trooper.’ The trooper has recommended Paul for Hunterdon County 200 Club honors.”
According to the story, Paul was driving south when he saw the woman turn her car into oncoming southbound traffic. “Paul put on his flashers and blocked her car with his. The woman put her car in reverse and began backing across the intersection, then slowly headed south in the fast lane of northbound traffic. Paul drove parallel to her in the southbound fast lane, honking his horn and trying to get her attention. When the woman turned onto the grassy median to make a U-turn, Paul pulled onto the median himself to block her.”
The two cars ended up stuck in the mud and when the woman tried to pull out onto the highway again, Paul ran to her side, reached into the car and turned it off. He made her move over, got the car unstuck and drove to safety. He called 9-1-1 and spoke with a dispatcher throughout the ordeal. After the medical personnel arrived, Paul was told he could leave but he felt bad and said, “I went to the hospital to keep her company.”
As it turns out, the woman was listed as a missing person. Her daughter was notified that she had been found and Paul waited with the woman until her daughter arrived. She was suffering from dementia, high blood pressure and malnourishment. After the ordeal, Paul commented that “It was good doing it. It was an experience. It was cool.”
The 200 Club he is recommended for provides financial assistance, scholarships and valor recognition to law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel and their families. Paul’s mother was once a members of the
A POEM TO SHARE
The following was submitted by Mary Simpson, written by her daughter Janice about her visit last April with her father, Tom who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and now resides in the Veterans’ Victory House in
THE VISIT
written by Janice Simpson
He gave me my name, he knows it no more.
My hands, his hands once strong held me secure,
Now tremble and shake as they hold his cups.
His mouth won’t cooperate as he sups.
His hair of gold and his freckled tan
Gone, like his mind, once a brilliant man.
The greens he took with his irons and woods,
He’d take them today, if only he could.
Not a sentence he finished, no thought complete,
His appearance now not as crisp and neat
As in days when he took the courts by storm
Now at night he lays his head in a dorm.
I hug and kiss him as his baby blues
Look in query at my I Love Yous.
Yet his gestures told me somewhere inside
Was he who had rocked me when I cried.
As fast as I can I flee through the door
So my tears can’t be seen as they fall to the floor.
My daddy, Oh daddy where have you gone!
All I have now are memories so strong.
Oh the love with which he looks at my Mom
Tells me he is still that special man, Tom.
FAITH IN ACTION
Angels
My angels I have known for 34 years are Earl & Rita Chester. Their anniversary will be for 44 years this May. When my husband died, they gave me $500 as a gift to help with the expenses. Then when I had cancer, they asked me to move to South Carolina and bought a condo for me to rent for four years for half the price of its worth. They introduced me to St. Michael’s Church, Father Ray and
That is why Earl & Rita are my angels and I am trying to be as kind and helpful to others as they have been great Catholic examples to everyone ! (Writer wishes to remain anonymous)