TONY DICKENS-PLANCK:

From The Country To The City

Greetings Friends.

TONY IN GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

I am the younger partner of an intergenerational gay relationship. I am presently 49 years of age and the love of my life is 90. Love comes in many packages.

We are a monogamous couple, who have been together 22 years now as of February 9th, 2009. My beloved companion passed away December 26th, 2006, but I feel we are still together and will be for all eternity.

I was born August 31st, 1960 in Burlington, North Carolina. My earliest memories are of running and playing in the rolling hills and meadows of Guilford County. In 1967, when I was seven, my family moved next door to Alamance County onto a seven acre farm. I was reared working in our four large gardens raising various crops: potatoes, corn, all kinds of beans, strawberries, okra, lettuce, onions,etc-much of which we sold to area markets.

My paternal grandparents were Andrew Franklin and Cora Lee Guy Dickens. My grandfather was born in Mountain City, TN and my grandmother in Watauga County,NC. My grandfather changed the family name to various varieties of the surname Dickens, but readopted his birthname before his death in the mid-80s.

In my preteen years I was very active creating and performing puppet shows both at school and church. I also wrote and typed my own area newsletter, The Burch Bridge Special. In 1978, I graduated from Western Alamance High School. I was active in the drama class all four years there and won a Best Supporting Actor award at a state competition for my role in Edward Albee's "Zoo Story". I also worked in the high school library. After graduation, I had dreams of going to California to pursue an acting career. I even applied to the California Institute of the Arts, but alas it was not to be.

My maternal grandmother, Alice Wyatt Walker Paschal, became quite ill at this time. Her husband, Rev. Arthur Mills Paschal (an Assembly of God minister), had passed on some years earlier from a stroke. Her only son, Everett Paschal, perished in a tragic fire a year after Grandpa Paschal's death. Three years later, Grandma came to live with us, as her rapidly advancing Alzheimer's Disease got worse. She was eventually placed in a nursing home, White Oak Manor, where my mother got a job as the Activity Director. In December of 1978, I began work there as an Activity Assistant, where my first duty was to create a monthly newsletter for the facility, which I edited, typed and wrote until April 1998. I became an Assistant Activities Director in 1989, eventually going part-time to spend more time with Russ and to travel. I officially left the company the early part of 1998.

During the years 1981 to 1983 I was much involved with the New Church of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. This faith is based upon the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, 17th century Swedish scientist, philosopher and mystic. I seriously considered entering the priesthood at the Academy of the New Church, but abandoned that idea as my spiritual beliefs broadened during my college years.

From 1983-1987 I attended Elon College working toward a major in English Literature with minor concentration in Gerontology. I was admitted to several honor societies at Elon, which I thought I didn't really deserve, as I was basically an average student, but a good one, who always sat up front, asked questions and studied well. I was working full-time at the nursing home all during this time and obtaining my Activity Director certification from the National Board. I finished my senior year at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, obtaining my B.A. in 1988. I was also employed at the circulation desk of Jackson Library there, as I had intended to pursue a Masters in Library Science.

In November of 1986, I placed an ad in the Personals section of a weekly entertainment/events paper in Greensboro, stating quite simply, "SWM, 26, seeking male companion. Age is no barrier." (was always attracted to older men). The soon-to-be love of my life, Dr. Russell Everett Planck, was one who saw my ad and was touched by its simple sincerity and responded. We corresponded and talked by phone to one another until February 5th, 1987, when we finally met. We've been inseparable ever since. : - )

RUSS & TONY AT COUNTRY PARK, GREENSBORO, NC

From December 1987 through February 1988 Russ saw me through my thyroid cancer surgery and treatment and during the summer of 1989 I saw Russ through a heart attack and quadruple heart bypass surgery. The very day the Chinese government cracked down on the demonstrators in Tiannemen Square, Russ was undergoing his heart bypass surgery-a very dramatic emotional day for us as we had been hopeful that democracy in China was well on its way. Russ has struggled with insulin-dependent diabetes and it's complications since 1983. Since 1989, we have traveled in Europe, the Far East, the South Pacific, Africa, Australia, Canada, Southeast Asia, India, South America (we took a 55 day cruise around that continent!), and naturally...the good old U.S. of A. We moved to San Diego in May of 1997 and lived there in the summers and winters till late April of 1999.

For two years, a Laotian refugee, Ammalith Souphalith, lived with us in Greensboro while studying English and working as a wallpaper apprentice. He moved to San Diego in 1989 and married his sweetheart, Noy (whom he met in the refugee camp in Thailand), in March of 1990. My "brother" now has a son, John Kittima and a daughter, Amy. Ammalith now works for Hunter-Douglas, a company that makes Venetian blinds, in Poway.

I am very much into channeled metaphysical material: Seth/Jane Roberts,Orin-DaBen/Sanaya Roman, and Alexander/Ramon Stevens. I also enjoy films from foreign to domestic. I adore cats, though I am not presently owned by one. Other interests include traveling, watching BBC comedies and anything Star Trek related on the telly, helping seniors, and I ADORE listening to music (the energy of my life) by the B-52's,Pet Shop Boys, the Beatles/George Harrison, Renaissance, Annie Haslam,Bjork, Sparks, Grace Slick, Evelyn "Champagne" King,Bob Marley, Swing Out Sister, Boy George and Culture Club, RuPaul, David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Nektar,Lisa Lynne, New Age/Ambient music (Brian Eno, Liquid Mind, etc.) and various classical composers.

Most of all, above everything, I enjoy loving my dear, sweet, compassionate reason for living, Dr. Russell Everett Planck. Without him, the rest would be meaningless. I'm a firm believer in the spirit world and its great interconnectedness with the physical. I believe Russ and I are soulmates. Can one explain why Russ' beloved mother and my dear maternal grandmother passed into the spirit world on the exact same day, December 11th, 1982; four years before Russ and I met? One of many interesting connections between us.

My parents were married May 11th, 1947. My late father(who died Christmas Eve 1998), Lewis Andrew Dickerson, was a retired fixer for Burlington Industries and former garage mechanic and expert farmer. Dad was a WWII veteran who was stationed in New Guinea and Morotai island. He took basic training in Death Valley and nearly died from appendicitis. His appendix was removed WITHOUT ANESTHESIA! (Remember THAT the next time you think you're having a bad day). My late dear mother, Lena Kathryn Paschal Dickerson (who passed to the spirit world on Jan. 22nd, 2009), retired in April 1998, after serving twenty years as an Activity Director with White Oak Manor in Burlington. She has won the N.C. State Activity Director of the Year award from the North Carolina Activity Professionals Association as well as the Business Woman of the Year award by the Cardinal Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. She started the Alzheimer's Family Support Group in Burlington, NC back in 1983 and has been recognized numerous times by various state organizations for her fund-raising efforts for Alzheimer's Disease research and family support group needs. Unfortunately, my mother had to suffer Alzheimer's herself for twelve years as her mother and two sisters did before her. Because of my loving parents, my childhood was happy and fulfilling.

MR. & MRS. LEWIS AND LENA PASCHAL DICKERSON

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 11TH, 1996

MR. LEWIS DICKERSON: FEBRUARY 27TH, 1923 TO DECEMBER 24TH 1998

My kind, funloving sister,Veronica Joan Wilson, is a librarian in Hampton, Virginia. She lives nearby in Newport News, Virginia. She earned her Masters in Library Science at Old Dominion University several years ago. She's a sci-fi fan, who introduced me to the wonders of Star Trek (the original-LT. UHURA FOR CAPTAIN!!), the joy of cats and the neverending joys of reading (she read "Winnie the Pooh" stories to me as a child). She is an X-Files fan who loves working at Hampton Public Library and taking care of her cat,Higgins. Her husband is Tony Wilson, who is employed by the shipyard in Newport News, Virginia. She has two sons, Derek Wilson (age 35), a graphic artist for NASA and Paul Wilson (age 33).

When my beloved passed away in the early morning hours of December 26th, 2006 my life ended as well. It's been extremely hard finding a reason to move on without him. I'm hoping Divine Providence will not keep us apart for long. I can't imagine another day without him let alone years. Cherish your loved ones. It's all over so very quickly. :(

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