12 minute read
Picnic in the Park
2431 S. Loop 289
771-8008 When it comes to physical therapy, you do have a choice. 6202 82nd St. 687-8008 Committed to providing you with the best possible care, 4138 19th St. compassion, and respect in a safe and comfortable setting. 780-2329 www.PhysicalTherapyToday.com Serving you today for a healthy tomorrow. 1506 S. Sunset Ave. in Little eld 385-3746
2431 S. Loop 289
771-8010
Best trained & friendliest staff in Lubbock.
Come check us out & experience the many services of Wellness Today.
Top of the line equipment, classes, cardiovascular machines, indoor walking track, free weight equipment, heated pool and hot tub, underwater treadmills, and more!
Providers of the Silver&Fit and SilverSneakers tness programs
Call for class schedules: 771-8010
www.WellnessTodayLubbock.com
Picnic in the Park with the Arts
Local singers and songwriters will perform every Saturday in July from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lubbock County Precinct 2 Park, 751 W. Garza St. in Slaton.
The event is free and family friendly.
Food trucks will be onsite, also.
Performers in July are: July 3 - D.G. Flewellyn July 10 - Robert Lopez July 17 - Southern Wind July 24 - Your Brothers Uncle July 31 - Gary Nix
For more information call 806-828-0762.
Success is not fi nal. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage that counts. - Winston Churchill
Lubbock RSVP
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO SERVE
Use your special skills or talent in the Lubbock community.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
• Age 55 or older • You choose how you want to give back • Volunteers work as much or as little as they desire • Annual Recognition Event
T: 806.743.7787 (RSVP) E: rsvp@ttuhsc.edu
Golden Gazette • July 2021 • Page 13 Storytelling is a way to connect during the pandemic
From Providence Senior’s Health Team
Just as COVID-19 separates us, telling stories brings us together.
Ruidoso Map
Map folds out to 34.5” x 22.5” Street Map & Scenic Locator
Buy a Ruidoso Map & have it mailed to you. www.RuidosoMap.com
or mail a check for $3.25 to: Word Publications 1310 Avenue Q Lubbock, TX 79401 Include an address to mail the map to.
What is storytelling?
Storytelling is about speaking truthfully and listening earnestly. It’s asking boldly and answering fearlessly. It’s sharing from the heart at a time when conversations matter more than ever. Storytelling isn’t about fairytales and fables — it’s about being authentic with those you care about because time is the most precious thing we have now.
Similar sentiments were expressed during a “fireside chat” video conversation between Ira Byock, M.D. and Dave Isay.
The two men explored how stories are helping build human connections during a global health crisis.
Why stories? Why now?
Think of a 90-year-old father and his 50-something daughter discussing a decision that changed the course of his life forever. Or a grandmother sharing her loving views on life with her grandson, who’s just recovered from COVID-19. And then there’s the man who asks the question, “What will you do when COVID-19 is over?” It’s a query that will spark hundreds of responses — and stories — in the months to come.
Sharing memories and moments have become more vital now, as many face the prospect that there may be difficult farewells ahead because of this devastating pandemic.
Byock encourages people of all ages to “Say, I love you … I forgive you … I’m proud of you,” because this time has intensified the need to have a conversation.
“Through storytelling, we can capture narrative time capsules of this remarkable period in our lives.”
Isay said let this moment be a reminder not to wait. Now is the time to have conversations.
Storytelling’s role in well-being
The Institute for Human Caring describes storytelling as one of the keys to whole-person care, which is healthcare that’s based on
(See Storytelling, Page 16)
Quality End of Life Care
● Fulltime Medical Director ● Pain & Symptom Management ● 24-Hour Support for Patient & Family ● Grief Recovery / Counseling Center ● Non-Pro t Serving 19 Counties Since 1987
The Region’s ONLY Pediatric & Adult Hospice 806-795-2751 or 800-658-2648
Have you ever heard of musician Billy Strange? Born William Everett Strange in 1930 in Long Beach, California, he became an in-demand session guitarist/arranger in Hollywood and recorded with such topdrawer artists as Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Cher, and Nancy Sinatra.
One afternoon in the early ’60s, Billy received a huge royalty check for a throwaway ditty he had created previously on a whim. He felt certain that a mistake had been made and called the issuing office. That’s when he was told, “Mr. Strange, the money is all yours.”
His quirky tale began at an all-night Hollywood diner, where he and a musician pal gulped black coffee in attempts to become sober enough to drive home. Eventually, they climbed into their car and cautiously motored off.
Fighting to stay awake, Strange twirled the car radio dial for a while before settling on a local country station that was playing a tune that he detested. “Man, I can write a song better than that in five minutes,” he boasted, with a slur. That’s when his equally inebriated companion slapped a hundred-dollar bill on the seat between them and said, “Okay, Billy, you’re on!”
With a chortle, Strange reached into the car’s back seat for a blank score pad, which he used to sketch out arrangements for his sessionmusician work. He quickly came up with a catchy song that he laughingly dubbed “Monotonous Melody.” He then sang it, tossed the pad back and—unchallenged— stuck the money into his pocket.
A few weeks later, Billy found himself at work in a recording studio. A friend there, a music composer named Basil “Buzz” Adlam, had just started a small-time music company and announced that he was on the lookout for some fresh material to record. “Buzz, you know, I might have one,” Strange responded half-seriously as he recalled his silly “Monotonous Melody” tune.
Billy and some other session pals tried a few different tempos and styles before settling on a calypso approach to the foolish work. By the time the musicians had repeatedly sung “What a monotonous melody,” they were all in hysterics. After hearing the playback tape, Strange himself admitted, “That’s just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
A few weeks later, Billy got a phone call from Dave Burgess, who led the instrumental group the Champs (of “Tequila” fame). Burgess wanted to put “Monotonous Melody” out as the next Champs 45, but with a title change. Strange didn’t care, saying, “It never really had a name anyway.” Only later did the musician find his tune become a Top 40 instrumental under the name “Limbo Rock.” (Dancing under a limbo bar was a popular party activity back then.)
Then Chubby Checker’s manager, Jon Sheldon, phoned to ask permission to add lyrics to “Limbo Rock” and release it as hitmaker Chubby’s next 45.
Strange’s check was for $63,000—about $450,000 today. Not a bad payday for five minutes’ work from a tipsy tunesmith trying only to win a bet.
To succeed in life, you need 3 things: a backbone, a wishbone, and a funny bone. - Reba
Be bold. No matter the wins, no matter the losses, keep going.
Golden Gazette • July 2021 • Page 15 Sign up by July 21 for free colonoscopy clinic
The 7th Annual Free Colonoscopy Clinic is set for Aug. 21 at the Covenant Endoscopy Center, 3610 21st St. A community of board-certified gastroenterologists will perform the exam.
Doctors recommend those over the age of 45 or those with a family history of colon cancer have their colons checked regularly.
Colorectal screening tests can detect tiny polyps which are abnormal growths in both the rectum and colon. Colon cancer is one of the leading preventable cancers by early detection. Although diagnosis is possible at an early stage, many people delay seeking medical care because they may be embarrassed, fearful, or have limited financial resources.
Recently the American Cancer Society changed the age of recommended screening from 50 to 45. Colon cancer risk increases at age 50.
Criteria for qualifying patients include: - At least 45 years of age or a family history of colon cancer - Never before received a colonoscopy - Must qualify for financial assistance
Those interested must call 806-725-0518 or 806-725-4442 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to be screened for qualifications for this preventative procedure.
The qualification screening deadline is July 21; space is limited.
Page 16 • July 2021 • Golden Gazette Storytelling is a way to connect during the pandemic
(Continued from Page 13) emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs along with medical needs.
Storytelling is making a place for itself as a way to improve health-related quality of life for patients. A recent report on the effect of a storytelling experience on elderly delirium patients in an acute care unit found the patients who engaged in the storytelling experience had a lower delirium screening score when they were discharged from the hospital. While there’s more research needed, this study and others like it support the idea that storytelling and other arts programs can play a part in wellness.
Similar results showed promise in a study about enhancing cancer patients’ well-being. After four months of using a storytelling tool, results showed that when patients told stories about their own lives, it had a direct and positive effect on their sense of peace, trended toward a less depressed mood and appeared to protect against a decline in well-being.
COVID-19 has created a chasm of isolation and separation for many.
Byock and Isay both believe storytelling is able to bridge that gap and bring people together.
Even telling stories about stressful times in life can help.
This was demonstrated by a group of patients who wrote about an upsetting experience in their lives just before having biopsies. The study showed that being prompted to express something they’d never talked about in detail appeared to bring about faster healing.
Start telling your story — and listening to theirs
Social-distancing restrictions because of COVID-19 have created a longing for human connection. If you’ve been battling loneliness and a lack of social relationships, try these tips and start your storytelling journey. • Build your “empathy muscle.” Storytelling is a shared experience between two or more people. Learning about other people and being open to their stories creates a sense of empathy. This muscle needs to be exercised so it can help strengthen your relationships, balance your views of the world, and enhance your well-being. • Remember to listen, too. In the end, people just want to be heard. And Byock describes listening as an “act of love.” You can start by asking questions and then simply listening to the answers — without judging or interrupting. Just as people offer their stories to you, you can give back to them by being fully engaged in what they say. • Do a life review. You have a story or two to tell. And so does someone you know — perhaps a friend, spouse or sibling. Need inspiration? Bring out a photo album. Looking back on your life, even as you stay hopeful about what’s ahead, can be an enriching experience.
• Be brave. It often takes courage to tell stories about your life. It’s a challenge to open our hearts, but it’s worth it to know you’ve made a relationship stronger or even brought healing to old wounds. • Honor those who are gone but not forgotten. Not only can you tell stories to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, it may also be a way to mend torn relationships and learn to forgive others as well as forgive ourselves.
COVID-19 will create new stories to tell
The main thing about storytelling is to make a connection. Say the things that matter most, to the people who matter most to you.
You can learn more about telling stories during this time of COVID-19 in a special area of the Providence Institute for Human Caring’s site called the Coronavirus Chronicles. This storytelling and listening project captures experiences from caregivers, patients and others during the 2020 pandemic. You can also visit Mr. Isay’s StoryCorps site to make storytelling connections related to the pandemic.
Mistakes are part of the journey. Apathy isn’t. To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable. – Ludwig van Beethoven
Come join the fun at the Polka Party
on Monday, Sept. 5
✷ Doors open at 1 p.m. ✷ Foo Food will be available for purchase. No carry-ins, please. ✷ Dan✷ ce from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 & under. For more information or to order tickets, call 806-778-0551
Rescheduled from Sept. 7, 2020.
The Ranch @ Reese 1910 Research Blvd.
Lubbock
You may also inquire by email at TheRanchatReese@gmail.com, or visit TheRanchatReeseEventCenter.com.
Well, to be frank, I’d have to change my name.
Forget world peace, visualize using your turn signal.
Life is short. If you can’t laugh at yourself, call me. I will.
For chemists, alcohol is not a problem, it’s a solution.
I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.
I asked my doctor how long he thinks this COVID thing will last. He responded with, “How should I know. I’m a doctor, not a politician.”
I really don’t mind getting older, but my body is taking it badly.
Whoever said, “Out of sight, out of mind,” never had a spider disappear in the bedroom.
It’s an honor to provide: Excellent Care. Every Patient. Every Day.
(806) 791.0043
3305 101 ST STREET
