George “Nick” Hunt, a Moore County, N.C. native, served four years in the Air Force and worked 32 years for Hughes Aircraft Company in California as a Laboratory Manager. He retired from Hughes in 1988, returned to the Sandhills with his late wife, Shirley, and (in 1989) became the Moore County Veterans Service Officer; he served as president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (2001-2002). Now retired, he lives in Carthage, N.C. with his daughter and two grandchildren. Writing About Memories by George Nick Hunt Writing about memories—there is benefit. The quotes below are taken from, “This Way to Memory Lane,” an article by Edward Hoffman, a child psychologist and adjunct professor at Yeshiva University in New York. (The article is from the January 2012 “Guidepost” magazine.) “We can survive and even thrive in our difficulties. We learn to dig deeper into our faith, our spiritual bedrock, to grasp more firmly onto the God who is stronger than our problems.” “Can it be possible that simply recalling happy memories can be almost as powerful as having a positive new experience?” “Nostalgia provides a lens through which to view past mistakes and misfortunes.” “A branch of psychology called narrative therapy prompts patients to tell stories about their lives in vivid detail—including their hardships, defeats, losses and disappointments —in order to bring focus to the silver lining, the lessons learned. Research has shown that people who can see the positive aspects of the things that have caused them pain usually have better mental and physical health as they get older.” “A seemingly forgotten memory embedded deep within our mind may rise to the surface, along with the feelings attached to it, when we hear an old tune or see a childhood photograph.” “A 2006 study discovered that a group of people who spent just a few minutes writing about a past event were more cheerful afterward than a group who wrote about a typical day in the present. People with high resilience— the ability to bounce back quickly from stress and setbacks—are especially adept at using nostalgia to put themselves in an upbeat frame of mind.”�� Santa’s Last Ride by George Nick Hunt If ever there was a spring in his step, this was the year, for Santa was all a-twitter about his new sleigh. Out with the old and in with the new —no longer an ordinary sleigh, but a sleek shiny 2013 model straight from the best factory in the land. It had put a pinch in the old budget, but there it was; no time for a test run and, besides, what could be different—a sleigh is a sleigh. Mrs. Claus and the Elves rushed out to see the wondrous new sleigh. But with all the excitement, they soon forgot everything, except packing and checking that every boy and girl had a present in Santa’s load. The hustle and bustle had everyone in a tizzy: “Where does this go? Can you find it here?” Every inch of the sleigh was packed full of wonderful toy for good boys and girls. Last minute checks were made: “My map, gloves, hat, scarf? Where are the special toys for the children’s home?” As Santa sprang to the sleigh, it soon became apparent that the sleigh had many new bells and whistles. He called for his trusted Team of Elves to point out how to use this sleigh. “Where are the reindeer so trusted and true? Year after year they never missed a stop, flying like the wind over the snow-covered world. What? They are no longer needed with the motorized sleigh? Put out to pasture, you say? What if the weather is bad, and, without Rudolph to guide my sleigh, how will we find all the children? GPS you say? What is that—a younger Rudolph? What shall I do if there is a need to call home? Where is my tape of Jingle Bells that I play every year? iTunes? What is that? Where do I find them at this late date? How shall I ever get going with all the new gadgets?” Then, all of a sudden, there did appear a funny little Elf so lively and quick that Santa knew in a moment this Elf knew the tricks to getting the show on the road. And as Santa relaxed in the right seat, his Elf ran the show and off they went with a Ho! Ho! Ho! – filling stockings and bringing gifts to every boy and girl all over the world. And a Merry Christmas was had by all. �� Searching For A City by George Nick Hunt I’m searching for a city, Searching for a home, Searching for a city over there, Searching for a city that’s foursquare, Oh! I’m searching for a city, I’ve never known. I’m searching for a city, searching for a city, With streets of gold, Where I’ll never grow old. Searching for a city, Not made by Human hands, Where no tears are shed, And there is no sickness there. Oh! I’m searching for that city fair, Where I’ll meet my Lord so dear, And the final search will end, As He welcomes in, All who believe on Him. I’ve found that city, I’ve my found my home. �� Illustration by L. S. Crain, Southern Pines. Illustration by L. S. Crain, Southern Pines. No. 128 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.7
20587PG
To see the actual publication please follow the link above