Brandi Lynn Pompa, 19, of Seadrift passed away Oct. 26, 2011. She was born Dec. 2, 1991, in Port Lavaca to Sherri and Timmy Pompa.

Brandi is survived by her parents; daughter, Bailee Renee Pompa; brother, T.J. Pompa; grandparents, Jim and Karen Nunez; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Juana C. Pompa and her cousin, Victoria Estrada.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the First Baptist Church in Seadrift with Poodle Wittnebert officiating. Burial followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Eddie Salazar, James Salazar, Jerry Eure, Eric Chance, Chris Chatham and Adam Price. Honorary pallbearers were Sergio Suarez, Lynn Garner and Marshall McGill.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.richardsoncolonial.com

NEW AT THE LIBRARY: A way to go online and learn to become proficient in many of the computer programs now being used in various businesses and professions and just for you. Our main library in Port Lavaca is now making available to all residents classes online in the following software programs: Computer & Internet Basics, E-mail Basics, Social Media (Facebook, etc.), OpenOffice, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. All you have to do is to visit our Library, sign up at the desk and then go online. What a painless and non-stressful way to learn!

I was lucky enough to take my camera and arrive early to the POC School Halloween Carnival and took photos of many of the children dressed in a wild display of costumes. I can have a preview for a parent to select a photo at the Library, and will have them printed for a minimal charge. And, if the Caveman or Pirate is hanging around, please stop in; there’s some interesting pix of you. Both Shirley and I would love to get your autograph!

Several new books had caught my eye as I was stacking them: Boca Mournings as written by Steven M. Forman is the 2nd in a series concerning a former Boston cop who retired to Boca Raton for a little downtime. However, he soon finds that he cannot shake his former occupation, and, therefore, becomes a registered private detective in this city of retirees in Florida. The book is full of funny (?) one-liners, interesting characters, and a few situations I would prefer not to detail. For me, the jury is still out on this book; perhaps, though, I should re-read it as I’m certain others may find it very enjoyable.

And while rearranging and re-shelving the nonfiction books, I found not only some incredible cook books and those that provide ALL the answers to your decorating problems, but one interesting nonfiction: Tomorrow Will Be Better by Zdena Kapral. This is the story of a family in Czechoslovakia that weathered both the Nazi and Russian takeovers. But this family was lucky enough to have substantial resources; the husband was the President and CEO of his firm; however, they like the rest of their countrymen, were still under the life and death control of the invaders. Well written, and the author has the talent of making you a part of her life.

But for me, the most enjoyable book is Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl. This is the 2nd in a series of books known as the Triple Threat, primarily because the main characters are three females who were formerly members of the same high school in Portland, Oregon. Each woman has her own hang-ups and problems individually, but they do become less important as this female team become involved in the investigation of the mysterious death of a controversial radio talk host.

Ms. Wiehl is a former Federal Prosecutor; I remember quite vividly her defense of the Rugby team at Duke several years ago following the allegations and charges of a resident. She appears at times on TV now with the Bill O’Reilly show on Fox News, lending her expertise to the various legal matters arising each day. Hand of Fate is the 2nd book in the series; I only hope that we are able to get the first book, Face of Betrayal soon, and then order the 3rd book as it becomes available. James Patterson has a series of books involving 3 or 4 females in semi-similar circumstances; however, I’ve found that those books are neither as well character-drawn nor possess a fully believable plot. Ms. Wiehl’s emergence on the fiction scene should cause more than a few writers to work a little harder.

We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many times those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie

Port O’Connor Community Thanksgiving Service:

Sunday, November 20, 6:00 p.m. – St. Joseph Catholic Church

Free Thanksgiving Dinner:

Thursday, November 24, 11:00 until 6:00 – House of Prayer, Seadrift

“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” ~Robert Caspar Lintner

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast”. -W.J. Cameron

This is the time of year when we forget about “ghosts and goblins” and focus on Thanksgiving. I have learned that the more I know about things God blesses me with, the more thankful I can become. Let us see if we can learn something together!

When people put us down, does it send us into depression? I believe the Lord has given me four insights that will help put me on a new road that will bring a lasting joy, and maybe some happiness as well.

It is a fact of life that we are going to be hurt by others! Those hurts will leave scars that will affect how we think, act, and relate to others. The deepest wounds I have experienced have been caused by rejection. Most of humanity have felt the same pain from a parent, spouse, friend, or sometimes even from strangers.

Sarcastic barbs, put-downs, belittling comments, criticism (even when it is true), gossip, and ridicule are all potent weapons in the arsenal of rejection. When we are hurt, the tendency is to strike back, to exact revenge, and to get even!

Not all of us lash out when we are attacked. Some of us worry ourselves with resentments. We turn the hurt inward and attempt to suffer silently. But, nursing a grudge never hurts the offender; it only hurts the one worrying – the offended.

So what should we do when we are under attack? Withdraw into a shell, hide in a cave or cove, isolate ourselves from humanity, and say, “I will never allow another person to hurt me again!” Definitely not! We can make a different choice. We can choose whether painful circumstances will devastate us or direct us to a new pathway.

It is unavoidable; we will have to deal with critical people! But dealing with other people effectively is one of the most important things any of us can learn in this life. After we have mastered it, we are about 95% down the road to finding a lasting joy.

So, how do we handle the people who put us down?

First, remember we cannot please everyone! We are all aware that not even Jesus pleased all the people all the time! In fact, He not only lost Judas from the 12 disciples, but He had lost “many of His disciples” before that event. Since we know that the perfect Son of God could not please everyone, how do we expect to accomplish that feat? In fact, it was the religious people of His day who crucified Him.

You have probably noticed that even God cannot get the weather right! While some of us are praying for God to send rain, others are praying for sunshine. Doesn’t it seem a bit foolish to attempt to do what God cannot do?

Second, realize we do not need others’ approval to be joy-filled! We live in a society where we do not get a whole lot of approval. People do all sorts of crazy things trying to win a smile from someone who is too cold or nasty to even give one. Remember, we are as “joy-filled” as we choose to be. We may not be able to always be as happy as we wish – things may not go the way we want them to – but we can be filled with joy!

So, refuse to play the game. Do not waste any energy trying to convince un-pleasable, disapproving people that you are the great person that you know you are. The problem is not with you, but with their personal insecurities.

Third, refuse to retaliate! Striking back only lowers us to the naysayer’s level of immaturity. Instead, try praying for the other person; this will help both of you.

The moment we retaliate, we give up control of our life to the person who angers and hurts us. “You make me so mad!” is an admission of control. What we are truly saying is, “You have power over me to determine how I feel!” Learn to be the “actor” and refuse to be the “reactor”.

Fourth, refocus on God’s view of who we are. Holy Scripture teaches us that God says we are lovable, capable, forgivable, acceptable, and valuable! Remember, we are so valuable – worth so much – that God sent His Only Son to redeem us! Jesus believed us to be so important that He died for us! Now, whom are we going to believe – our critics or God?

Most of us need to learn how to erase some tapes in our minds! Most of us are replaying hurtful statements made years ago – statements that were often not even true. My sister, Elaine, will still not eat a banana because I told her they were the most fattening fruit – because I wanted to eat that last one (50-55 years ago). The way to erase those tapes is to affirm what God says about us – lovable, capable, forgivable, acceptable, valuable, etc.

To a large degree, our self-image is influenced by what we believe the most important person in our lives thinks about us. That is why choosing emotionally healthy friends is so important. It is also why we must make God our best friend! Since God loves us, and we love what God loves, we do not need the approval of un-pleasable people. We can cope with critical people.

With this in mind, I am sure that our Thanksgivings will be much better – even if the “mother-in-law” is coming for dinner!

It is time once again for the Adopt a Christmas Angel program in Port O’Connor, to provide Christmas gifts for our less fortunate children.

This is how the program works: From November 21 to December 10, you can pick up paperwork at POC Hardware. This consists of a numbered envelope containing the “vital statistics” for your chosen child – age, gender, grade, clothing sizes, shoe size, and coat size. Shoe and coat sizes will only be available if your child needs these items. You do not need to purchase any toys. The Toy Run, another annual Christmas program, provides these.

The Adopt A Christmas Angel committee recommends a spending limit of $100 per child. If you would like to participate but feel that you cannot afford this amount by yourself, enlist a friend or two to split the cost, and share the fun of shopping and wrapping, along with the glow of knowing you have helped a child have a nice Christmas.

After you have shopped for your Angel, wrap the gifts, and put your Angel’s number somewhere on each gift. Please make the number large enough that it can be seen, but small enough so that Santa’s helpers can put the “To/From” gift tags on each present.

Please take your gifts to POC Hardware Store by December 10. The store will keep the gifts until time for their delivery/pick-up. The employees at the hardware store are most gracious in helping to complete this project each year, and they have an alarm system which keeps everything safe.

If you want to participate but are unable to do the shopping, call Marie (983-2322 or 983-4764), Brenda (983-2272 or 920-2272), or you may let Wanda at the POC Hardware know. Santa’s elves will be glad to help.

Help these children to have a Merry Christmas and it’s very likely that your Christmas will be even merrier!

If You Need To Put A Child On This Year’s Angel List:

Angels will be accepted from November 11th through November 25 – the sooner, the better. Do not wait until the last minute! This is a large program and it takes numerous people to get it up and going.

You should contact Marie Hawes (983-2322; 920-2322), Brenda Smith (983-2272; 920-2272), or Wanda Redding at the POC Hardware (983-2708) during the store’s business hours.

Strict confidentiality will be maintained. Even the kind souls who adopt these angels do not know the identity of the child.

The parent or guardian only may put a child on the list and make arrangements. The child must live in Port O’Connor and be between the ages of one year and sixth grade. School-aged children must attend Port O’Connor School. Do not put relatives’ children on the list unless they live with you.

You will need to furnish the child’s age, grade and clothing sizes. You may also include any special interest that your child may have.

Please use this program if you need, but do not abuse it. If you have used the program in the past, and if you can, maybe this year you can adopt an angel.