Birthday wishes to Royal Freeman, May 12, Randolph; Hassan Davis, May 13, Randolph; Russell Ferrell, May 15; P.R. Ruth Walker, May 15, Charlotte Court House; Shavon Wilson, May 15, Saxe; TaQuresha Jennings, May 15, Drakes Branch; Denise Coleman Nicholson, May 17, Dinwidde; Loraine Brown, May 17, Saxe.

I am wishing you a day that is as special in every way as you are. Happy birthday!

A thank you to my family for making my birthday celebration a few weeks ago a great one. We ate at Golden Corral in Lynchburg, had a great time and received lots of nice gifts.

Get-well wishes to all of the sick and shut-in. I hope you are up and well soon. You are in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

Sympathy to all of the families who have lost a loved one recently. Our heartfelt prayers and good wishes go out to you in your time of need. You have our deepest sympathy.

Thought for the Week: If that special person in your life is responsible with their heart, they will be responsible with yours.

Motivation

You never know what motivates you until you try. You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Who seeks shall find.

Wherever you are, be all there. When you fail, you learn from the mistakes you made and it motivates you to work even harder.

What you get by achieving your goals is as important as what you become by achieving your goals. What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows. The will to win, the desire to succeed and the urge to reach your full potential are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

The weeds keep multiplying in our garden, which is our mind being ruled by fear.

Rip them out and call them by name. Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.

News is due by Saturday at 1 p.m. News will be accepted by call or text at (434) 568-0596.

Virginia Freeman is a community columnist for The Charlotte Gazette.She can be reached at vstars@pure.net.