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Dear Family and Friends,
Happy, dappy New Year to you all! 2010, boy, everyone is getting older. . .lucky we're not. Another year of greatness and another year of excitement! I hope that's the attitude you all have for this new year!
Normally, I resolve to drop a few vanity pounds, resolve to be a better person, the typical resolutions that most people have. But I watched a story on ESPN a few weeks ago that truly changed my way of thinking and inspired me.
It was about an 8 year-old boy who had cancerous tumors behind his eyes. After radiation and chemo could not cure the cancer, he had to have his right eye removed. That's when the local college football team heard his story and asked him to come by practice. This spunky eight year old would eventually lead the team in cheers and yell at them if they weren't working hard enough. He was an inspiration to them all and became the newest member of the team.
After a couple of months of being cancer free, the little boy was told his cancer had come back. This time he had to have his left eye removed. He would be blind. ESPN interviewed the little boy before he had to have his remaining eye removed and he was so positive and so courageous. He said that he was busy studying the faces of his family, friends, and the football players so that he would always have a picture in his head of who he was talking to.
He went in for the surgery and the tough exteriored little boy finally let his guard down. He cried that he was scared that he would never see again. (Can you imagine knowing that when you wake from surgery, your world would be dark?) He was afraid to close his eyes, knowing that he would never see light again. The football team came to support him and let him know that he had friends and family there to ease his fears.
The little boy had a successful surgery, which meant, he was blind. Although little guy would never see again, a huge sense of relief came over him. He said he could finally move on with his life, because he no longer had to fear being blind, he already was. He was ready to live life and be worry free!
The little boy still goes to practice and cheers the team on. He says that hearing the players hit each other is more exciting than actually watching them, because he can only imagine how amazing the hits are just by listening. He is happy to be alive and he is happy to be loved by amazing people.
If that isn't inspiring, I don't know what is. We are all human and will still resolve to quit smoking or to lose weight, but what matters in life is our desire to be happy, to love each other, laugh with each other, and to care for each other. This eight year old will never see to catch a ball, never see the sunrise, never see the flowers and trees. But he will smell the ocean breeze on a warm day, he will feel his parents hug him when he is sad, and he will LOVE and be LOVED!
Happy New Year Sunshine Gardens and to all! We are blessed to be here! |
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Caregiver's Corner: Special New Year's Edition! By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident
Regretfully and sadly, we bid farewell to our very talented Activities Director Rachel Gressler. She always provided us with entertainment and educational moments of pleasure. But, all good things must come to an end.
Born in Scottsdale, AZ, and living at times in Manitou Springs, CO and Wisconsin, Rachel, Rachel moves on. After earning a BA in theater at Fort Lewis, she will return to become a teacher!
Rachel's parents live in Colorado Springs. Her father is a salesman and her mother is an elementary school librarian.
Rachel is soon to be engaged to a lawyer who lives in Durango, Josh Mack. Her only "child" is River, a 3 year-old Catahola Leopard Hound.
Finally, Rachel has been in over 40 productions and also teaches her own theater company, San Juan Mountain Theater, for the last 14 years. Where do you find such talent? I wish I knew.
Your capabilities and ambitions, no doubt, will direct you to an everlasting success in the future. We don't have to wish you success. . .it's there waiting for you!
(We are also very pleased to welcome back our former Activity Director, Heather Downing! Heather, also known as "little Heather" or "feather" is energetic, positive, loving, and encourages our residents to enjoy many activities! We are pleased to have you back with us!)
Born in Denver, CO, this Sunshine Gardens West employee does so much to keep us alive and healthy, yet he is in reality overlooked by us all. His name is Robert Dominguez, our very talented and capable head chef! Others in his family also contribute to our well-being, namely his wife and Sunshine Gardens Administrator, Joanna. Their son Daniel assists Robert in the kitchen.
Prior to his employment here, Robert was engaged in work as a meat cutter, tree trimmer, and was in charge of a Durango restaurant. The latter position encouraged him to become a Duragnoan by his uncle.
Seven siblings are scattered throughout Colorado. Beth, his daughter lives in Durango, too! She is a lovely girl and is a freshman at Durango High School.
Traveling a lot through Texas, including Galveston, and the Padre Islands was very enjoyable for Robert.
Robert aspires to win the lottery some day. Me, too! Maybe we'll split it if good luck strikes.
Robert, without you and your family, we would be lost. Don't ever leave us. WE LOVE YOU! | |
FEATURED RESIDENTS
By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident
Although she was born in Walsenburg, Colorado, this Sunshine Gardens West Resident lived most of her life in Denver.
Her name is Elizabeth O'block. After attending Park High School, she went to Parks Business School, but spent a portion of her adult life caring for her two children Richard and Karen. Her son Richard, who lives in Durango, is the principle reason for her residing here! Her daughter Karen lives in Alaska.
Elizabeth's trip to Alaska in the past was one filled with enjoyment. Her greatest ambition here at Sunshine Gardens is to relax and enjoy her life in comfort. Elizabeth, that should be easy for you to find here! Your future desires will easily be fulfilled. |
Everyone Cannot Be in Your Front Row
Contributed By: Gina Pruett, Sunshine Gardens Resident
Life is like a theater-Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationship/fellowships!
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which one's are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the fight that lies within you?
The more you seek God and the things of God-the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God, but the face of God-the more you seek things honorable-the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you-the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life. You cannot change the people around you...but you can change the people you are around! Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.---Author Unknown
THE HUMAN MIND
By Lou Gans: Sunshine Gardens Resident
Activate it! Don't allow it to become stagnant, warped, or without conscience. When your mind "goes" there isn't much left. Find activities for it in which to become involved. Converse with your dining room neighbors. If they are somewhat un-talkative, encourage them.
Also, our activities schedule provides numerous events in which the mind can function. Benefit from it. Scrabble is a great game to challenge your brains; every week it is listed as an activity. I'm there to play it, yet others are absent. Join! It's fun and thought provoking once you get into it. You'll LOVE it! It's all up to you!
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Enjoy the new year! Travel safe, have fun, and visit Sunshine Gardens. The physical therapy/fitness room is AMAZING, truly a sanctuary! Please come by and take a peek! If I'm not in my office. . .you'll probably find me there admiring the fish! :-)
Many Blessings!!!!
Sincerely,
Trisha Kellogg-Marketing Director
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