Topeka Presbyterian Manor
Thinking about... By Robert “Bob” Giffin, Chaplain MARCH 2023
72 YEARS AND COUNTING: Topeka Presbyterian Manor
couple has love that continues to grow Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents Irene and Carlan Honaker will celebrate 73 years of marriage this summer. The couple, together for seven decades, is enjoying life at The Manor, having moved in just over a year ago. “I’m in independent living and Carlan is in the healthcare area,” said Irene Honaker. “It is so nice to be under one roof. He gets the care he needs, and we get to see one another any time we want.”
So, as we turn the calendar to a new month in March, what are we to do? Glad you asked!
The pair first met at a church youth rally in Weston, Missouri when Irene was just 17. She lived in Topeka and Carlan lived in Weston. “We were friends for a year or so and then started dating,” she recalled. “We married when I was done with high school, and he moved to Topeka. We’ve been here ever since.”
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day. For those who gauge the future by a groundhog, Robert Giffin that was supposed to mean we were going to have six more weeks of winter. For some, that might be a welcomed forecast. For others, the winter has dragged on long enough!
Carlan and Irene Honaker
Carlan ran a successful accounting business for more than 45 years. The couple’s son now runs the company. In all, they have 4 children, 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren! The pair met through church and have remained active in their faith. “I go to chapel with Carlan in the health care center,” she said. “We went to church together our whole lives and we still go together today.” All told, it’s been 72 years and counting of wonderful memories for Irene and Carlan Honaker! u
The Apostle Paul has wise advice for us:“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). Sometime later, a man of much influence, Buddha, made this observation: “We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think.” What we think and how we think matters. Our thoughts influence our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. You’ve probably heard of “the winter blues.” The winter blues is a real thing!
Thinking -continued on page 3
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