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Let’s talk about those who put God, family first

April

The daily news can give you a terrific headache. The other morning, the TV
newscasters blurted out how a Lexington Market potato chip stall operator was charged
with selling guns, former Miss Maryland is facing drug charges, a Jessup prostitution
sting resulted in 17 arrests, a key witness to a Baltimore murder was gunned down just
days before he was to testify and on went the bad news.
Some, who acknowledge the mind-body-spirit connection, refuse to watch television
anymore. They know that once the information is in the brain, it is permanently stuck
there. Depressing news affects the neurotransmitters that are responsible for our
emotional state. So, why don’t we strive to input positive information instead of
mimicking the newscasters?
You can hear people telling the same gory stories to everyone they meet, spreading
the bad daily news like a farmer broadcasting seeds in a spring garden. They give the
dismal, disobedient delinquents who thrive on disorderly conduct their precious, personal
time and attention. They could talk about those who contribute to society and the welfare
of others rather than the disrupters who disappoint, discourage and dishonor. They could
divulge original, unique, personal news from their lives instead of lazily recapitulating
the daily bad news.
We can publicize those who put God and family first in their lives, those who have
scruples, a conscience and believe in helping their fellow man. There are many who are
worthy of our daily conversations, but I have one in mind because he is close to home.
You may recognize him because he was like many of you: a family man. He believed
in dedication to God, family, church, country and his work. He and his wife, Mary, were
devoted parents, involving their kids in Boy Scouts and vacation Bible school, and
getting them ready for college and marriage.
His retired life found him caring for the Trinity Lutheran Church property. I saw him
one day on his hands and knees, weeding the flower gardens that surround the building.
Another day, there he was, cutting the grass. He was always pleasant, sociable, respectful
and interested in what you had to say. Throughout life, he and Mary continued their teen
hobby of roller skating and introduced the grandchildren to the activity in Upperco. He
tinkered with the mowers and built the rabbit hutches that housed the animals that
grandchildren Gavin and Marell took to the Baltimore County Fair to win ribbons.
After his seven-way heart bypass operation, he fought for his life for six months.
Finally, everything was fine. On April 7, his sister from Mississippi was visiting when he
quietly and peacefully went to be with his Lord while lounging in his favorite La-Z-Boy.
Yes, Terry B. Glendenning Sr. will probably not be on the TV news, but his life will
be broadcast often by all those who knew and loved him. Terry was a good man.