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Kevin’s Peace of Mind
www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022
January 2023
WAIT ‘TIL YOUR DAD GETS HOME
“Wait ‘til your Dad gets home.” A phrase often heard in many homes. A very familiar phrase in the Tharpe home to be sure, as my parents raised their three sons. More times than not, what would precede the phrase was, “Kevin, wait until your Dad gets home.”
hard on him. Not long after we moved into our new home, Tiger passed away.
I was heartbroken. I cried for weeks. Dad was also heartbroken — not just for the loss of a little dog — but in seeing how this impacted his sons, especially me. It wasn’t long after that I overheard my Mom on the telephone telling my Dad, “Oh I know the boys will be excited, especially Kevin.” I asked Mom what would I be so excited about, and she replied with a smile, “Wait until your Dad gets home.” I was so excited over the next few hours that I could hardly stand it. With my eyes fixed out the front window, I kept asking Mom every ten minutes, “When’s Dad getting home?”
I was a very active child. Many of those activities got a lot of my parents’ attention.
There were many days I was just too much for Mom to handle, and when I finally “got on her last nerve” (one of Mom’s favorite phrases), she would send me to my room with instructions to ...
“Wait for your Dad to get home.”
The wait was excruciating. It felt like I was on death row, waiting for my inevitable execution.
Finally, Dad’s car pulled into the driveway and I ran outside rejoicing!
When Dad finally got home, my Mom would fill him in on what I had done that day, and my Dad and I would then have a talk, and the “belt of education” would summarily follow.
“Dad’s home! Dad’s home! Dad’s home!”
It was then I was greeted by a black and white terrier puppy who was equally excited to see me as I was to see her. Dad was even more excited as he watched the new puppy and I roll around in the grass. Mom was also excited, but as Mom had a habit of doing, she warned me to not get my clothes all filthy before dinner (another one of her favorite phrases).
There were a few times that waiting for Dad to get home turned out to not be very bad.
Our dog, Tiger, made the trip in 1973, when we moved from Georgia to Brandon, Florida. Tiger was my buddy for 10 of my then 12-year-old life. Tiger was an older dog, and Dad said the trip was
My Dad, Joel Tharpe, passed away on Nov. 26, 2022.
He was 86 years old. Jan. 3 would have been his 87th birthday.
Many who knew my Dad would say he was a kind man. Others who knew my Dad said he was a good man and a man of integrity. Some who served with Dad as a fellow Deacon or were students in the many Bible classes he taught in churches he attended or those who served with Dad in planting churches in Georgia and Florida, described Dad as a godly man.
No doubt all of those are true.
To me, though, my Dad was a generous Dad.
Dad was the most generous person I have ever known.
Continued on FSI ...
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Providing Rides and Saving Lives Meet an Uber Driver Turned Hometown Hero
We all like to imagine we would do whatever it takes to help others if we witnessed a tragedy, such as a house fire or car accident. We see it all the time when watching our favorite shows and movies, but these random heroic acts rarely happen in real life. When they do, they’re awe-inspiring. One New York City man was faced with one of these harrowing situations and showed tremendous courage when he helped save lives, all while on the clock.
the building and found a woman who was hesitant about leaving. He convinced her to go and brought her to safety, and then he returned to help another man get out of the building. Once he saw firefighters on the scene, Sam returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drop his passenger off at the airport. She still made her flight, even with their impromptu stop. In a statement to “TODAY,” Uber said, “We’re incredibly grateful to have such a heroic and thoughtful member of our community in Fritz. He went above and beyond to keep his neighbors in New York safe — and still managed to get his rider to the airport on time.”
Fritz Sam works as an Uber driver in New York City. He had just picked up a passenger and was taking her to LaGuardia Airport when he noticed a hectic scene in a Brooklyn neighborhood. He soon saw flames and dark smoke emerging from a second-story window of an apartment building. He asked his passenger if he could pull over to offer help.
When talking to “TODAY,” Sam stated, “You’d be surprised what little things we do that can be impactful. Because, trust me, those little things are going to make a big difference for somebody.” It’s safe to say that very few people consider Sam’s actions a “little thing.” He acted heroically and is an inspiration to many.
He approached a group of bystanders, yelling for people to get out of the residence. As people fled the building, Sam asked if everyone was out. Someone said there were
still people inside. Without hesitation, Sam ran through
Celebrity Lawsuit Calls TikTok ‘Breeding Ground for Scams’ Are the Ads You See Real or Fake?
Imagine you’re scrolling through your social media feed when an ad pops up starring one of your favorite celebrities. Maybe it’s quarterback Tom Brady talking about his favorite brand of beer or actress Julia Roberts showing off her new shoes. You’re intrigued enough to buy the product. But when it arrives, your jaw drops. This isn’t the hottest new luxury item! It’s just a cheap knockoff of Budweiser or Jimmy Choo. How would you feel about your celebrity “friend”? According to Page Six, this exact situation happened to fans of “Real Housewives of New York City” actress and Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel. A scam artist stole clips of her promoting a designer product and edited them, making it appear as if she were selling knockoff cardigans. Frankel posted her own video decrying the scammer, only to watch TikTok remove it for “abusive content.” In a last-ditch attempt to protect her reputation, she sued the platform for failing to protect her reputation and allowing users to post fake ads, calling it “a breeding ground for scams.” If you use TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, Frankel’s story should serve as a warning: The ads you see sliding by on your smartphone screen may not be legitimate. To protect yourself from scammers, take these three steps.
1. Go to the source for celebrity endorsements. Visit the celebrity’s official social media page and/or website. Any products they’re advertising should be visible there. 2. Avoid in-app purchases. It’s easy to buy products on Instagram with a single click — but should you? To avoid scams, leave the app and visit the company’s official website to ensure you’re purchasing the real thing. 3. Look for signs of photoshopping, editing, and manipulation. Does the celebrity’s face look tacked onto another person’s body, or does their phrasing sound broken and clipped together? Is the celebrity sponsoring the ad, or is the brand just using their name (perhaps misspelled) for cachet? Look for these signs before you buy. Ultimately, when buying online, just remember to think before you click. Skepticism is a TikTok user’s best friend.
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TAKE A BREAK
In 2021, 1 in 7 Americans participated in “Dry January” — a month without alcohol. The concept of Dry January isn’t new, but since its conception in England in 2012, it has taken hold worldwide. If you’re one of the millions of people pouring out your booze after a holiday of overindulging, use these five tips to stay on track until Jan. 31 and beyond. 1. Download the ‘Try Dry’ app. Yes, there is an app for that! “Try Dry” is the official Dry January app, created by Alcohol Change UK. Users can map their Dry January successes on a calendar, watch their “dry streak” climb, and calculate the money and calories they’ve saved by avoiding alcohol. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. 2. Look for a kava bar near you. These outposts sell nonalcoholic drinks made from the root of kava plants that helps imbibers relax without the negative side effects of booze. If you’re worried about missing out on socializing with friends, a kava bar could be a good alternative to your local watering hole. Kava bars are trending nationwide right now, so check Google to see if one is open in your city. 3. Master the mocktail. Kava isn’t your only nonalcoholic beverage alternative. If you find yourself missing fancy cocktails, check websites like FoodNetwork.com , BonAppetit.com , and TownandCountryMag.com for delicious mocktail recipes like Bobby Flay’s Chocolate Martini Mocktail, which is a booze-free mudslide. Then, invite your friends over to raise a glass. Throw in board games and food, and they won’t even miss the alcohol. 4. Scare yourself with the data. Plenty of studies out there warn about the negative side effects of drinking alcohol, including a recent study from The Lancet that found drinking reduces your lifespan. When you feel your resolve slipping, turn to the facts for reassurance you’re on the right path. 5. Partner with a friend. If you want to make a batch of mocktails or bemoan skipping your after-dinner gin and tonic, it helps to have a friend by your side! Find someone to join your Dry January crusade so you can keep each other on the right path. 5 TIPS FOR CONQUERING DRY JANUARY Finish the Month Sober and Thriving
AIR FRYER ROASTED SALMON WITH SAUTÉED BALSAMIC SPINACH
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Directions
Ingredients
• 3 tsp olive oil, divided • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) • 1 1/2 tsp reduced- sodium seafood seasoning • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 garlic clove, sliced • Dash of crushed red pepper flakes • 10 cups fresh baby spinach (about 10 oz) • 6 small tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1. Preheat air fryer to 450 F. Rub 1 tsp oil over both sides of salmon, then sprinkle with seafood seasoning and pepper. In a greased air fryer basket, place salmon. 2. Cook about 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily. 3. In a 6-qt stockpot, place remaining oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. 4. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Cook until vinegar is reduced by half, then remove from heat. 5. Arrange spinach on serving dish. Place salmon over spinach mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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A Final Tribute to My Dad, Joel Tharpe
Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach How to Finish Dry January Strong How an Uber Driver Became a Hero The Dirty Truth About TikTok Ads
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A Podcast That Will Inspire You to Make a Change
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With ‘How to Save a Planet’ Reduce Climate Anxiety
If you’re stuck in a cycle of worrying about the planet after a rough year of floods, fires, and hurricanes, we don’t blame you. Most of us have seen that 2022 was full of climate craziness, and constantly dealing with these disasters can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Knowing where to start when tackling the issues our planet faces can be challenging, and this uncertainty leaves many people feeling more depressed than determined. But that is all about to change with the help of “How to Save a Planet,” a Spotify original podcast that shares good news on eco- friendly trends. Join Alex Blumberg and “a crew of climate nerds” (their words, not ours) as they strive to bring you the positives of our planet, along with real changes you can make in your life that will help move our climate in the right direction.
write them in the middle. That piece between all three circles is what you can do for the climate.
You might want to try a fashion detox. This challenge asks participants to avoid buying any new clothes for 10 weeks and to use that time to reflect on sustainability. The goal is to take a moment and understand the impact of clothing on the planet.
Get in touch with your local meteorologist. If you watch the local news and the meteorologist talks about climate change,
send them an email or message on social media to let them know you noticed it, appreciate it, and want them to keep it up.
To show you what we mean, we’ll share some things “How to Save a Planet” says you can do to be a climate warrior.
“How to Save a Planet” has many more tips where those came from, and after listening, you won’t feel helpless — you’ll be motivated to make a change. So head on over to Spotify, press play, and get started.
Make a Venn diagram to find your climate change superpower! On a piece of paper, draw three circles that overlap in the middle. Each circle will have its own title, and they are “What brings you joy?” “What work needs doing?” and “What are you good at?” Find similarities between all three, and
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... continued from Cover
Throughout the time I knew Dad, I watched him generously extend his time, talents, and treasure to not only his family, but also in his faithful tithing to his church and giving back to God, lending
But there is one generous act of my dad that far outshines all the others.
a helping hand to his neighbor in fixing a roof or providing comfort to a fellow church member who lost a loved one. Dad was also generous with his faith. Dad was saved by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ when he was a teenager.
It is the one generous thing that gives the phrase, “Wait till your dad gets home,” its most profound impact on the life of his middle son.
Dad always came home.
Some may think, “So, what’s the big deal? That is what dads are supposed to do.”
Dad would then live out his faith by following the Great Commission of spreading the gospel in whatever little corner of the world he was in. Whether it was Atlanta, Georgia; Brandon, Florida; Stone Mountain, Moreland, or Palmetto, Georgia — even as a resident of Brightmoore Nursing Home in Griffin, Georgia — Dad was always sharing with others what God had done for him.
I have heard about individuals, learned about many historic and famous people, read stories about celebrities and athletes, and I personally know people whose dads left home and never came back.
Not my dad.
For a little boy learning to tie his shoes or tell time; a seventh-grade boy struggling to learn fractions; a 16-year- old boy learning to drive; a teenager receiving his high school diploma; a young man obtaining his college diploma, getting a law degree, then passing the bar exam; or for the young man getting married and having his first child, knowing Dad will return home every time he leaves in order to be a part of his life is a big deal. Dad’s coming home was certainly a big deal. But what’s a bigger deal is that Dad CHOSE to come home and he chose to come home because HE LOVED ME.
Dad was generous with his discipline, too. He was a firm believer that sometimes it is necessary to generously apply the aforementioned “belt of education” to activate the line of learning which runs from my “seat” to my “brain.” As painful as it is to admit, I am thankful for this generosity. Dad was also generous with his grace and forgiveness. I don’t think it’s possible to be married to someone for over 60 years and raise three boys without regularly extending a lot of grace to them and occasionally asking forgiveness from them.
This generous act of love shown to me every day of my life is the legacy Dad leaves me. It’s what’s behind the Tharpe name.
Knowing my dad loved me is the one thing I will proudly carry with me for the rest of my life — as a son, a husband, a dad and, maybe one day, a granddad.
Wait until your dad gets home. Today, I celebrate that the wait is over.
I can celebrate that Dad is no longer in pain, his leg has been restored, and he is now “dancing before the Lord and leaping like a deer.”
I am excited that Dad is with Mother.
I know Dad’s heart is now full and his soul is forever complete.
Dad is with Jesus.
I rejoice in knowing “Dad’s home! Dad’s home! Dad’s home!”
-Kevin
(770) 503-1022
www.kevintharpe.com
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