CNJ+ July 2025

GOODBYE DEAR OLD 438 By Richard Mabey Jr.

Timmy’s Story: A SENSORY FRIENDLY BIRTHDAY By, Pam Teel Young Author Tim Rohrer, who has overcome many obstacles in his life due to his autism, is set to release his second children’s book. The book is a sequel to his first book, Timmy’s Story: A Story About Autism and Friendship . His first book, focuses on inclusion, and is based on his own past life experiences. His second book, Timmy’s Story: A Sensory Friendly Birthday, also is a reflection of his past, and teaches one about autism through the eyes of someone who lived it. For those with autism, sensory sensitivities may make birthday parties difficult to enjoy. Tim’s second book tells a true story, with that in mind, about how his teacher and his classmates made his birthday party one that he could enjoy. Tim’s brother Daniel, who is a senior at Allentown High School, is doing his senior practicum helping behind the scenes of “Tips4Inclusion.” He did the book editing for his brother. Tim has not only become an author but a speaker, self-advocate, and educator of disabilities. He has been asked to speak at schools, conferences, and has also received a commendation from the NJ State Senate and Assemblymen. He is also a managing partner of a teen founded nonprof it organization called 5Help Foundation. To learn more about Tim and the amazing resources he created, check out his website at: https://tips4inclusion.wixsite.com/disabilityinclusion. Tim’s new book is now available to purchase on Amazon. As I write this article, it is nighttime, Thursday, the first of May. On Saturday, the tenth of May, I will say farewell to my Florida home in The Villages. My sister and I are moving to Northern Ocala. It’s a long story, but it’s just time to move. Having purchased this home in June of 2008, I’ve lived in this home for nearly 17 years now. That’s a bit of a long time. My desk, in my bedroom, looks out to my front yard. I con servatively estimate that I have written well over 3,00 articles and true-life stories at this desk. I’ve seen all so many people walk by house. No doubt, a few hundred people, over the years walked by my front yard. Some I became good friends with, some I barely knew and some I knew not at all. It’s just the way it is in The Villages. It’s all bittersweet. In some ways, I’m looking forward to mov ing on. In some ways, I’m very sad. From 2009 till 2016, I wrote and published a little monthly neighborhood newsletter. Then from 2010 till 2025, I had the honor to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of a twice weekly newslet ter that was published by The Villages Diabetic Support Group. I wrote stories and articles for my church newsletter. And wrote some public relations articles for my church, that were published in local newspapers. And, for a few years, I wrote a regular column for a weekly newspaper in Belleview, Florida. Plus writ ing many articles and true-life stories for several New Jersey based newspapers. And, I wrote two books from this desk and self-published both of them. The old 438 marker in my front yard. To the left-hand side is the very window that I look out from, as I once wrote all so many stories and articles.

I love to write. It is a gift that the dear Lord has given to me. It truly is just that, a gift from God. I give all the credit to God. I’m very serious about that. Life is all so strange at times. My life has been filled with all so many twists and turns. Although I never married, I was blessed to know the love of a few very fine women. I never met any of them at the alter. Sometimes their Daddy didn’t like me and put a wedge between myself and my beloved. Other times, religious differences brought a degree of strife. At one point in my life, I dated a very wonderful woman who was a devout Catholic. At the time, I was earnestly serving as an Elder, School Teacher and Youth Minister at the First Re formed Church of Lincoln Park. I just felt all so strongly that God wanted me to stay at FRC. My beloved, at the time, be came more and more upset with me for not wanting to convert

to be Catholic. I look back now, with a tinge of sorrow. Now at 71, tonight I wonder what view awaits me when I sit at my new home, looking out the window and writing my heart out, a symphony of true life stories. There are many stories alive within my heart that I long to write. I hope and pray that the dear Lord gives me the time to write them all down. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

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JULY 2025 MAY 2023