Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Tamara Belinc

When Norris Carden of Tullahoma picked up a camera after a 10 year break from photography, he wanted to create images that matter to people, not editors, as he had in his past career as a photographer.  Now, he is doing just that by volunteering his time to Operation: Love ReUnited, a non-profit group of photographers who lend their creative energies to raising the morale of men and women serving in the military.  He heard about the group on a forum on the Internet.

“I wanted to join to give back to the military,” he said. “I was in the military, also, but because of an injury at my civilian job, I wasn’t able to serve in Desert Storm as a combat photographer.”  Norris was also a member of the Tennessee National Guard with the 278th out of Knoxville.  His other work included video production out of Nashville for other states and the Pentagon. He was working in Shreveport, La., as a news photographer when he was in a helicopter crash resulting in shattered vertebrae.  “Within a few weeks of the accident, they wanted me to carry a camera in the desert, and I couldn’t,” he said.  “I want to give back to the people who served in my place.” Read More »

Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

Of the several themes that run through Make The Days Count, gratitude is probably one of the more central and important ones.  It’s sometimes tough in the times we are living to be grateful for the blessings that we are given.   Financial crises, family and friends off to war, business failures, wondering if we will still have a job (or find a job) next year, not to mention the individual challenges we each face on more personal levels.  As Thanksgiving approaches, remembering to be grateful can be tough for each of us.

Personally, I worry about what the impact of our many crises will have on my family, my church and business, and me.  It’s difficult sometimes to be thankful for the many blessings God has given me, most undeserved.  And He has given me many. 

Perspective is so important at this time of the year. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens

Perspective is truly the word of the day when it comes to our ability to survive these tough economic and emotional times. 

The old adage “Life is what you make it” or other cliché statements about keeping a positive attitude don’t hold much weight when you’re about to lose your job, retirement, or home.  Sitting in the dark because you have no electricity may truly be a great opportunity to get some sleep, but I doubt seriously we will look at it that way.  I know that I don’t. 

Having said this, I have to admit there is truth in the fact that changing our perspective will allow us to not only cope, but maybe even thrive in the midst of turmoil.  I say this from personal experience.  And I am thankful I am able to say this at all. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Tamara Belinc

Bill Morgan believes you should walk through life with a smile on your face, a prayer in your heart and outstretched hands to help those in need.  When Bill believes in something, he acts on it.

Growing upon a cotton farm in Anniston, Ala., Bill, 64, suffered from rheumatic fever and was paralyzed for a time. “I know what it’s like to be left out,” he said, “so I made it my goal to be sure that no boy is left out that I can help.”  With that goal in mind, he has been the Past Master of the Masonic Orders and also the past president of his local Shriner’s chapter. He also served as an ambassador. “I’ve taken kids and their parents to Nashville to catch a bus to go the Shriner’s hospital,” he said. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Tamara Belinc

Maude Womble of Tullahoma never realized retiring at the age of 82 would lead her to another career — one as an artist.

When the day care center where she worked closed, her children talked her into retiring.  “I had to have something to do,” she said. “I’ve worked nearly all of my life.”  She didn’t want to do “public work,” she said. Instead she found something enjoyable she could do at home.  “My daughter, Tammy, brought me a paint-by-number kit,” she said. “I thought if I could do that, I could draw and paint.”

Although she has never had art lessons, she soon found she didn’t need to paint by numbers. She developed her own colorful, primitive style of painting that has attracted many admirers. Read More »