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. Page 6 — Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, December 9, 1992 EDITORIAL A special thank-you Ed. Note: People were shocked when they learned that 17-year- old Georgetown District High School student Jeremiah Fendley died suddenly playing basketball. Despite the efforts of a pair of teachers, local ambulance offi- cers and the Emergency staff at Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital the youth could not be revived. Nothing is as painful to a parent as the injury or loss of a child. But some people can find a small measure of joy in that loss. On Monday, Bob Fendley, Jeremiah's father, dropped the fol- ~ lowing letter off at the office of Halton Hills This Week. Mr, Fendley spoke briefly to our receptionist about his son but was overcome by emotion and left our office. Yet in the loss of their son, Bob and Paula Fendley found joy in knowing that their son had touched the lives of so many in our community. Here is the Fendley's letter to the people who knew Jeremiah and loved him. It serves as a fine example of finding the good in the worst pos- sible situation. To the Fendley's and anyone else who was touched by Jeremiah we extend our deepest sympathi ies. To all the friends of Jeremiah (Miah) Fendley, Paula and Bob: There are so many of you we will never have enough time to reach and thank you all personally. Just to know Jeremiah has reached out and touched so many people has made us very proud parents. We feel joy in our hearts to know that, as long as you people live on, so will Jeremiah. He will walk the halls of Georgetown District High School, he will skate in the arenas, play in the parks and walk the streets of the greatest town in the world. Thank you Halton Hills. Special Thanks: Bob & Paula Fendley Staff of Georgetown District High School Staff of Halton Hills Ambulance Staff of Georgetown Hospital Phil Jones and Staff Open Door and Staff Anglican Church Ladies Book mark winners congratulated Dear Editor: On Tuesday, Nov. 24 the Halton Hills Public Libraries held a Bookmark Contest Party at the Georgetown branch. The winners of the 5th Annual Bookmark Contest were announced. They are: Heather Sanderson, Robyn Konyndyk, Meagan Vincent, Jennifer Shields, Rebecca Ferri, Kellie Ewins McGinn, Amanda Corp, Tiffany Pursoo, Holly Kortleve, Fred Roffel, Ryan McKenzie and Susan Lehman. Their bookmarks will be printed and distributed, a new one each month, during 1993. S. ial guest Gordon Korman congratulated the contest winners and spoke to an audience of 15! young people and parents about his exciting career as a Canadian author. Everyone enjoyed Gordon’s humorous stories telling how he developed the characters for his many wonderfully funny books. Cable TV Channel 4 was on hand to tape the events of the evening. The Halton Hills Public Libraries once again congratulate this year’s bookmark contest winners and thank the over 200 children who entered an original bookmark cre- ation! Letters Welcomed Halton Hills This Week wel- comes your letters. Letters must be signed and include your full name and address. Names will be with- held on request. Halton Hills This Week reserves the right to edit, revise, or reject any letters on the basis of factual Hl S WEEK errors, punctuation, spelling errors or as a result of space limitations. Send your letter to: The Editor Halton Hills This Week 232 Guelph St., Unit 9 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Halton Hills i and is printed in Oakville by Q.£. Web Printing. ., Georgetown, Ont. L7G 481, or services may PUBLISHER: Ken Bellamy EDITOR: Scott Kline PHONE: 873-2254 REAL ESTATE MANAGER: Kathy Toth IRCULATION MANAGER: Marie Shadbott PRODUCTION MANAGER: Kathleen Topoisek HALTON HILLS THIS WEEK IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED. F "AX:873-3918 Je She looks a little unsure about just what it is she's eating but enjoyed herself anyway. > gOS kh ARS seen es x a jessica Stuart was among the hundreds who attended Woolco's Breakfast with Santa Saturday morning. Photo by Scott Augustus Family Violence By Jacie B. Palmer I received a call regarding my recent article on anger manage- ment. It was the first article of mine the caller had read and I could tell she had something special she wanted to share with me. It took her a while to get to her point but finally, she indicated that the best way she had found to help her deal with her anger was through God. I listened intently as she self- consciously told me of her faith and the impact faith had on her daily life. It was wonderful to listen to her share her thoughts with me, a total stranger. Finally, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I blurted out: “I'm a Christian!” She sure seemed pleased to know that. I told her I'd wanted to write about my faith for a long time but have been conscious that many vic- tims lack a belief in a superior being. I can see by the number of calls and letters I receive that I’m reach- ing people. I want to continue to reach people so I’ve tried to be con- scious of my topics because I want to turn people on to making posi- tive changes in their lives. But per- haps now is the time to talk of my own faith. T’ve been through a lot — proba- bly more that most people — yet my faith and trust in God has never wanted nor wavered. We're talking faith in God here, not a church nor people who attend church. We’re talking about my own spirituality and my personal tela- tionship with God. Whether it was the loss of a child, a parent, a friend, or those endless circum- stances that cause frustration for each of us, I’ve always believed that God could hear and answer my prayers. More importantly, I’ve always believed that he’s interested in all the little things that happen in Handling anger my life. He is the person who keeps me going. He is the person who makes me prepared for life and ath. I have no fear of death because I know I will spend eternity with Him in heaven. When I am discour- aged I ask Him to help me. When I am despairing of my circumstances, He picks me up, wraps me in His arms of comfort and consoles me. I am never completely alone because he is there. He loves me and cares for me more than any human being ever could. He accepts me as I am. And, He talks to me, sometimes so clear- ly lamin awe. I suppose all of us ask the ques- tion: “Why? Why did it happen? If there is a God, why did it happen?” I’ve asked that question myself on occasion. I’ve come to the belief that all circumstances come into our lives for a positive purpose. ‘That purpose is for our learning and our betterment. ‘The struggles I’ve survived have not been any easier for me than yours are for you and sometimes I wonder if the pain will ever end...but...I do know one thing...as T’ve waited for the fullness of time I’ve seen positive things happen out of the crummiest circumstances. T’ve seen lives changed, people’s hearts changed and circumstances miraculously altered. Patience is fruitful...and we all need to learn to have more patience. The most important thing to me is that I’ve grown as a person because of my faith. The last line on one of my poster’s reads “I hope I always have the courage to explore”. I suppose that is my motto although I’ve never really thought about it a lot. I certainly have an insatiable need to know why I do everything, why I feel the way I do, why I believe what I do and why others use another approach. Understanding brings tolerance. In the last three years since I began exploring the violence in my life I’ve come to many insights that have left me profoundly changed— on the inside. The essence of who "me" is, is different. I am glad that God has opened the doors to allow me to write about this transition — and that is all life is — a transition — because it has given me an outlet I needed. I’m glad He has opened the doors for me to speak to others on the subject of violence. Through my writing and speaking I’ve been able to share with others and see the change occurring in their lives. More importantly, I have. changed dramatically and I love me much more now. Each of us walks a different path on our journey through life. We have different ideals, beliefs, needs and wants. All of us have to make a choice about how we live and how we treat others. God has loved me through my mistakes. For me, finding my Lord and Savior was the most important event in my life. My teenager once told me I am the most optimistic and positive person he knows. It shocked me to hear his words because at the time her spoke I was extremely discouraged. It is my faith that has given me the courage to hope and we must have hope to go forward through life. I’m glad T’ve placed my hope, faith and trust in God. 5 Feel free to contact Jacie in confidence by directing letters to her attention at Halton Hills This Week. All correspondence will remain confidential. Jacie can be reached in person through the Distress Centre at 877-1211.