The New Millennium

For the past few years, the mention of the new millennium has instilled thoughts about our future, feelings about time that has passed, and worry about things yet to come. For some, the coming of the new millennium has great spiritual significance; to others, it will be an event of community and celebration.

Many believe that our third millennium begins just after the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1999. Others believe that the third millennium doesn't really begin until exactly one year after that. And then there are many people for whom it is neither the third millennium, nor the much-talked-about Year 2000.

Differences in individual beliefs of tradition and time are not likely to deter the vast majority of people all over the world from commencing once-in-a-lifetime celebrations when the Year 2000 rings in.

A Time for Reflection: An Autobiography

As the millennium draws near, I reflect on upon the many full circles my life has taken, triumphs, trials and blessings.

Timothy Dalton was born in the Philippines on April 27, 1967. His father, Alvin Dalton Jr., was a navigator for the United States Air Force. His mother, Carolyn Joyce (Dvoracek) Dalton, was a Registered Nurse. Tim was the third of three children.

As a child young Timothy left the Philippines at six months of age and moved to California, New Jersey and Texas. In 1985 he entered Texas Tech University, where he enrolled in the Electrical Engineering program. Quickly his interest in Engineering waned. Soon, he found himself pursuing courses in Science and Philosophy.  They inspired in him a lifelong interest in scientific observation, metaphysics and ethics.  

At Texas Tech, Timothy was unable to escape from the melancholy which plagued him since his teenage years.  By 1988, he was thrown completely into the clutch of depression.  His Carpet Cleaning business that he ran to supplement his college expenses, was not running a profit and was interfering with his classes.  Living in a dilapidated apartment, neighbors with an unwed mother, a prostitute, and a lifelong welfare recipient - his future seemed dismal. Admitting his defeat, he did what he vowed he would never do -  that evening he surrendered his life to God.

That same evening, his brother, Scott Dalton, was placing telephone calls to family members, concerned that something was wrong with somebody, although he didn't know who.  The next morning, Timothy's mother called, asking for him join her in the Philippines for a reprieve.  The autumn of 1988 he flew on the Flying Tigers to the Philippines.  Timothy lived in the Philippines for approximately two years.  While in the Philippines, he was able to visit Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Seoul.  He also took an active interest in SCUBA diving, sailing, tennis, golf, and guitar.  Timothy enrolled in the University of the Philippines, and finished his bachelors degree, graduating cum laude.  Soon, he found himself courting a beautiful young Filipino dentist, Gemma Cortez Tanglao.  He returned to Texas in 1991 and worked both in a bookstore and as a bank teller while awaiting the arrival of his new fiancé from the Philippines.  They were married December 28, 1991, in a small ceremony in Rockwall, Texas.

Timothy returned to school for a degree in Nursing.  He and his wife were active in the local Filipino - American church, and hoped to use their careers for missionary work in the future.  Timothy excelled in nursing, quickly moving from Medical-Surgical Nursing, turning down a position as permanent charge to be trained for work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  While working in the ICU, Timothy also worked a second job as an IV nurse specialist.  

In October 1997, with great joy, Timothy's wife Gemma delivered a healthy young baby boy, Tymon Galen Dalton.  In 1998 Timothy with his wife Gemma, and mother-in-law, Petronila Tanglao, moved to San Francisco, California.  Gemma completed her studies in Denistry at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco.  She finished in the to 5% of her class.

Here and Now

Currently, Timothy resides in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  Timothy  works for the Harris Methodist Hospital, specializing in the care of patients undergoing vascular and open heart surgery.  He also is a distributor for USANA - the gold standard for nutritional excellence, which is now sponsoring the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team.  He is committed to helping others by:

Timothy still dabbles in his hobbies, guitar and computers.  Occasionally, in addition to caring for his 3 year old son, he can be found updating his website, or playing guitar for The Filipino-American Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.  Other times he can be found traveling with his intrepid companion, his three year old son Tymon, looking for challenging hiking trails and outdoor adventure.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;