THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 17, 2022 Page 7 ~ Guest Commentary ~ Mission from Mars By Gini Pariseau I n a conversation not long ago, I asked a man where he was from. He told me he was from Mars originally but had moved on. Having originally been from Venus and moved on myself, I was fascinated to hear about his journey. He told me Mars was a starting point in his Map Quest of life. Fatherhood was the vehicle that catapulted him off the planet, and it took him to a place he had never known existed. For the fi rst time in his life, he fastened his seat belt. From the moment he beheld that extension of himself, he realized that Mars would probably not be a habitable place for him anymore. Mars off ered selfi sh awareness, the supposed liberation of an unplanned future and a day-today existence that required little emotion and plenty of instant gratifi cation. Fatherhood, from the moment this man was awarded the title, was a vehicle that burst forward at whiplash speed. He cruised through inspiring territories of awareness and being. To this very special man, “that moment” crowned him with responsibility. Winning was never again to be determined in innings or goals or yards. On Mars, winning was the epitome of every endeavor or challenge. Fatherhood changed all that. Now it wasn’t a matter of winning. Rather, it was the hope that when all was said and done, there would be no losers. So many of us will celebrate this Father’s Day with special thoughts and memories of the journey that these former Martians took us on. I will never “dine out” without giving thanks for my father’s continuous eff ort to make sure I knew my table manners. I will never start to walk up a set of stairs and not hear my father always saying…”There’s always something that needs to be carried up!” It may be why my father was never a big sports fan. He had gone on to other provocations. I proved to be enough of a challenge. On my wedding day, when he gave me away, I was never sure whose special day it really was. There wasn’t a trophy or tee-shirt or award of any kind that could trump that moment. He knew he never actually gave me away. I think perhaps a father’s love is quiet and not always as obvious as a Mother’s might be. A Father’s love is more of a reverberation that comes to you later on in the everyday happenings of your life. Father’s Day is a perfect time to not only remember who your Father was or is, but who you are on ordinary days because of him. I think that maybe the best tribute of all I could give my Dad is that through all the ups and downs of my life, I never felt like a loser. Game point! MVES Commits To Justice on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day M ALDEN — June 15 marks Wor ld Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to bring attention to this critical issue affecting older adults worldwide. Elder abuse can include physical, emotional, sexual, caregiver neglect, self-neglect, and fi nancial exploitation. It impacts seniors from all walks of life. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the fi rst World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an eff ort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for our communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffi rm our country’s commitment to the principle of justice for all. Elder abuse is widespread. Every year an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that elder abuse is signifi cantly under-reported, in part because so many of our communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. Research suggests that as few as 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities. Mystic Valley Elder Services Protective Services Department plays a proactive role in addressing elder abuse by not only investigating cases but by proactively off ering education and trainings in the 11 communities served. MVES has developed a strong rapport with mandated reporters of elder abuse such as police offi cers and hospitals. The agency also educates seniors themselves by off ering seminars and resources. The goal is to build awareness while enabling seniors to remain safe and independent living in the For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net community. If you suspect elder abuse of a loved one or are being abused yourself, please call the state’s Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275 or fi le online at https://www.mass.gov/ how-to/report-elder-abuse. J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping Everett’s Ralph Carbone Named to College of the Holy Cross’ Spring 2022 Dean’s List W ORCESTER - Ralph Carbone of Everett was named to the College of the Holy Cross Spring 2022 Dean’s List. A member of the Class of 2024, Carbone was among more than 1,457 students named to the Dean’s List for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2021-22 academic year. To qualify, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
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