CNJ+ April 2025

The Red Barn CHAPTER 7: FAREWELL THY DEAR FRIEND By Richard Mabey Jr. You have always been there for your mom, and now GoldenYears Care is here for you We provide Adult Day Services For Special Needs Adults (21 years old +) National Maritime Day: May 22, 2023

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Her uncle and aunt, Nolan and Erin McCarthy, remained living at the old canal house on Mabey Lane for many years. I would often ask them how their niece, Devon, was doing. They would be vague and evasive and would simply tell me that she was doing okay. Finally, one day, Nolan told me that Devon married her boyfriend about a month after returning to Chicago. It was what it was. Again, part of me was genuinely happy for Devon. Part of me felt a certain sadness. I did finish painting the red barn, in the early part of that week in June of 1983. The carriage house where Uncle Ed and Aunt Joy lived in, was now empty. A new chapter of my life was about to unfold. In the weeks that followed, Devon became a fad ing memory. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone, is just to let them go. To not try to hold onto them. But to find a bit of joy, in their departing to find happiness in life. From time to time, I think of Devon. I wonder if she is okay, if she’s healthy and still with us on this side of Heaven’s Gate. From time to time, I pray that she found happiness in returning to Chicago. To be continued next issue. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com. Call UsToday For ATour or Info! (732) 845-3332 • Free Door-to-DoorTransportation • Health Evaluations • Bi-Lingual staff • Music & PetTherapy • Educational Programs to assist & encourage independance with activities of daily living • Social Activities • Fabulous food and menu options • Recreation, Exercise,Trips to Museums, Stores, Crafts and more... Serving Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean Residents 20 1-A Jackson Street Freehold, New Jersey We Offer Something Special Nowhere Else Found In CNJ ForYour Loved One! Active Day Adult Services “In 1933, Congress declared National Mar itime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first success ful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being de tained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged.” “Maritime Day is a time-honored tradition that recognizes one of our country’s most im portant industries. Each year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country recog nize Maritime Day and the people our mar itime nation depends on.” From the Maritime Administration, U.S. De partment of Transportation. Medicaid/HMO/DDD “The United States has always been and will always be a great maritime nation. From our origins as 13 British colonies, through every period of peace and conflict since, the Mer chant Marine has been a pillar in this coun try’s foundation of prosperity and security. They power the world’s largest economy and strengthen our ties with trading partners around the world, all while supporting our military forces by shipping troops and sup plies wherever they need to go.”

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It was now Monday morning, the thirteenth of June of 1983. I still had three more days of my va cation time left. Uncle Ed and Aunt Joy were now on their way to Nevada. Dad had returned to work, ear lier that morning. I was now alone, in the shadow of the tall pine tree, paint ing the barn with a most glorious shade of red paint. The joy and splen dor that I felt just a week ago, as Dad and Uncle Ed and I built the little barn, had now evaporated. High noon came. I went

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inside the old Mabey Homestead and ate lunch with my mom and sister, Patti. After I ate lunch, I walked out to the area along Mabey Lane, where I was painting the outer walls of the barn. As I began, once again, painting the barn, Devon Mc Carthy stepped out from the old canal home, just across Mabey Lane, just across from the little barn. Devon crossed Mabey Lane and came over to talk with me. There was a sadness in her eyes, that I caught right away. Devon had come over to tell me that she was moving back to Chicago. That she and her former boyfriend were going to give it all another try. Devon told me that she would be leav ing for Chicago, the next day. I remember doing my utmost best to hide my sorrow. I put on a good front and told Devon that I was happy for her. The truth is that part of me was actually happy for her, but a bigger part of me was sad that she would soon be leaving the neighbor hood. Life isn’t always fair. It seems that for the most part, people come into our lives. They touch our hearts, perhaps teach us something, and share with us, their perspective on life. Such was the case of Devon McCarthy. This was a time before email and texting. Devon told me that she would write me, when she got back to Chicago. Sadly, I never did hear from Devon ever again. Call UsToday For ATour or Info! (732) 851-6640 www.GoldenYearsCareNJ.com • Medical AppointmentTransportation • Around-the-clock attention • Physical & OccupationalTherapy In House • Free Door-to-DoorTransportation • Delicious Food Options (Spanish, Russian, Italian & more) • Onsite & Offsite Activities: (Ping Pong, Zumba, Shopping Excursions, Museums, Crafts,Trips to the Shore and much more) • Onsite Hairdresser Serving Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean Residents Conveniently off Rt 33 and NJTurnpike Exit 8 108 Woodward Rd. Manalapan, New Jersey If your loved one needs care during the day, trust GoldenYears Care to put them in good hands!

An actual photo of the red barn, from many years ago. Please note my dear, late Shetland Sheepdog, Gidget, walking beside the red barn.

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