By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
“I’ve been thinking,” said the mayor as I sipped a cuppa and prepared to take notes. “Who is a positive influence in your life?” I thought, “Oh, there are so many,” but I knew this was a rhetorical question. He then took out two books. The first was Life Lessons Learned From Sports, by John Ed Mathison, and the second, Learning To Live Like You’re Dying, by Sammy Gilbreath. Both of the books are autographed, and we did a series a few years back on John Ed’s. Both are precious possessions, and one especially pertinent in a day when it seems that grit and the will to “continue until you can’t” are in short supply.
Sammy’s book has a forward written by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, and is a positive influence challenge on steroids. Sammy was given a “death sentence” way back in 1984, and was told to get his affairs in order because medical science was certain that his passing was imminent. Well, it is now 2026, Sammy is still with us and just recently had supper with Mayor Ronnie and Sandra at Old Black Bear in Athens. Sammy also happens to be Mayor Ronnie’s cousin…his mama and Ronnie’s were sisters. So, the man has continued to live, albeit everyone knows that because of his condition, which is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, every minute of every day could be his last. So, the book has inspirational chapters with such cheery titles as, “A Ticking Time Bomb: You’re going to die anyway; you might as well die trying something,” or “Today Is Another Good Day: It Is the bottom of the ninth inning, two outs and a 3-2 count.” I think my favorite so far is, “Value Spiritual Blessings More Than Physical Things: Grace is never given in advance, only at the point of need, and when needed there is always more than enough.”
So, the heart of the challenge came in the form of this question, and it was one the mayor was asking me, Athens, and himself: “Who and how are you influencing?” Food for thought, for sure. We then launched into a discussion of how encouraging it had been to attend the Chamber of Commerce Coffee held at Athens State University, which showcased a number of not-for-profits in our area. There were all manner of organizations, and each had a worthy cause. Just to visit vendor tables and hear people describe their mission put a light in our eyes and a spring in our step.
League of Dreams, which is an organization of former MLB players that provides baseball clinics to persons with various special needs had been at the SportsPlex, and the ongoing project to complete Make-A-Way Park fully accessible to all had just been featured on WAAY 31 News.
The Mardi Gras Parade had been the best one ever, and the lobby table at City Hall was overflowing with what had been advertised as “let the good cans roll” in abundance…for our community. There were more floats, far more in attendance, and while I was in his office, someone texted the mayor with thanks for the event.
Mayor Ronnie had been at a meeting with people who had moved here from Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, and other places, and will have more opportunities to educate this group as to how our local government works. “We are growing,” he said, “and it’s wonderful as well as tough.” Speaking of government, the Mayor’s Youth Commission was going to go line-dancing with their Senior Buddies at the Senior Center.
Mayor Marks concluded that the “challenge” is to be someone who has a life that works in a community that works.” So, we prayed to that end, and once again it was time for Ronnie to roll.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
