MERIDIAN —     February's early signs of spring, as well as sense of renewal, love and friendship fueled the Feb. 3, 2013, meeting of the Friendship Garden Club.    

    After President Kay Smith led members in the collect, Ruth Carr, secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting.

    Edna Earle Tedder presented the devotion and prayer. She read from I Thessalonians 2:8 as her scripture: "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you not the gospel of God only but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us."

    Tedder added, “Children become spoiled when we substitute gifts for love; you can never give a child too much love.”

    In 1971, child care expert Penelope Leach had a crisis that changed her life and also many of her opinions about the needs of growing children. Her son Matt came down with a very serious illness. She had a very promising job so she felt like she could not take off work. She showered her son with gifts but Matt did not respond. All he wanted was his mother to be with him. Leach finally came to the conclusion that her son’s health was more important to her than a job promotion. She cut back on all the gifts and other expenses and stayed with her son and gave him something more important than gifts – a mother’s tender love. Matt quickly responded and recovered.

    A horticulture report was given by Gathel Dearman on the holly plant/tree. Dearman said the plant comes in two sizes and can be used in various ways. The red berries it produces are very nutritious for birds but are poisonous for humans. The berries are beautiful and are used around the holidays. The trees can also be used as a barrier from noise. The leaves are shiny and thick. The only drawback to using them are the stickers around each leaf.

    A short business session was held and the following were named to the nominating committee: Delores Reynolds, Nell Goodman and Norma Jean Williams.

    Cheryl Shannon announced that she was planning a mystery trip for April.

    Members went into the den, where they collected a large offering of love to be donated to Care Lodge. They put together many treats and necessities for delivery on Valentine’s Day.

    Members voted to invite Cathy Webb to join the club.

    The meeting was held at the home of Ruth Carr in the Bonita Community. Carr and co-hostesses Edna Earle Tedder and Maegan Carr invited everyone into the dining room for lunch.

 

    • Submitted by Lana Booker, reporter.