Lifestyles

Southington church women celebrate mentors

SOUTHINGTON -- Township resident Ashley Morrow said her grandmother, Gwendolyn Irene Arnold, was the person in her life that she looked to as a mentor and for inspiration.

Morrow said she wanted to share what her grandmother meant to her by hosting a gathering of the women of Southington Christian Church who also shared their stories of the women in their lives who were their mentors.

Morrow hosted a gathering called "In the Garden," which was a ladies' luncheon after Sunday worship.

Each woman received seed packet favors to take home and plant. Morrow said what she wanted the more than 15 women who attended the event to remember is to trust in God's care and provision.

In addition to a meal of pizza and salad, Morrow said she included for dessert her grandmother's two favorite treats -- York Peppermint Patties and Fireballs -- which allowed for sharing of her spirit at the table.

"I had those candies here because my grandmother could be spicy, but sweet," Morrow said.

She said her grandmother died 13 years ago.

"My grandmother's birthday is July 20 and that’s why I picked this date for this event. I feel today there is a disconnect between the different generations. I was fortunate, as are so many other women today, to have that connection to their mothers, grandmothers and aunts. One woman said her landlord was a mentor to her and she would visit her and let her do her hair. I want people to see how important it is to be a mentor to someone. Today is a day to honor the people who are our mentors and how we can be better mentors because of them," Morrow said.

Penny Szitas of Southington said as Christian women, if someone you may not know reaches out to you needing someone to speak to, each of us should be open.

"Be open to that person. People come into our lives for a reason," Szitas said.

Terry Lather of Southington said her mother was her mentor and despite her mother having multiple sclerosis, she admired her.

"I give my mom praise for the life she lived. She had multiple sclerosis when I was a child. I never saw her walk, shop with me, drive a car or help me pick out my wedding dress. I went through a time when I was bitter, but I loved my mother and realized she was a mentoring mom to me and my three brothers," Lather said.

She said she knew her mother loved her children and when they came and sat by her in bed "we brought sunshine into her life."

"I remember seeing her blue eyes and how her whole face would light up and people telling me she had more love in her eyes than most others did in their hearts,'' Lather said.

She said the most important lesson she learned is that a tragedy can be turned into a greatest gift.

"We do not always have the answers as to why people turn to us when going through hard times. We should be there for them,'' Lather said.

She said it is important for people to get involved and help others.

Robin Liddle of Southington said years ago, people would go to others' homes to visit, but that has changed with everyone's life being so busy.

"This church is my mentor. As children, we came to church on a bus and knew there were people on the bus who were mentors, as well as people in church being mentors. "Our stories are not our own. Share your own stories with others. They can help someone," Liddle said.

Jennie Roberts of Southington said her mother was her mentor, recalling how when she was a little girl, her mother taught her to sew.

"I learned to sew dresses for my dolls," she said.