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Dear Family and Friends,
Summer is in full swing. . .as felt by the 90 degree temperatures! Sunshine Gardens residents, however, are enjoying the sunny days, mid-afternoon rain showers, and gorgeous flowers and blooms. We are all having a good time having parties (including our big Fiesta Party), trips to the markets, gardening, and many other social events. Ahhh, summer in Durango is priceless!!!
The good times we are having bring smiles and laughter to our residents and employees. I read this little poem about the power of smiling and found it very moving. We sometimes feel that we have little or no impact on others. We also tend to feel that we have nothing of significance to give. This poem really shows us what a simple act can do. ENJOY!
SMILE!!!!!
She smiled at a sorrowful stranger...
The smile seemed to make him feel better...
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
And wrote him a thank you letter...
The friend was so pleased with the thank you
That he left a large tip after lunch...
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
Bet the whole thing on a hunch...
The next day she picked up her winnings,
And gave part to a man on the street...
The man on the street was grateful;
For two days he'd had nothing to eat...
After he finished his dinner,
He left for his small dingy room...
He didn't know at that moment
That he might be facing his doom...
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
And took him home to get warm...
The puppy was very grateful
To be in out of the storm...
That night the house caught on fire...
The puppy barked the alarm...
He barked till he woke the whole household
And saved everybody from harm...
One of the boys that he rescued
Grew up to be President...
All this because of a simple smile
That hadn't cost a cent...
Barbara Hauck |
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FEATURED RESIDENTS By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident
This new and pleasant resident, Natalie Kounter, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and migrated just about everywhere. Natalie lived in Maryland, Kansas, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Japan, and Durango, Colorado.
Natalie has a son, Bob, who lives in Bayfield. Her son, David, lives in Albany, New York. Her other son, Doug, lives in Los Angels.
With a smile on her face, she states that she met her husband at a picnic at a military base named Fort Devons.
Ocean voyages transported her to Japan and Marshall Islands.
Natalie traveled throughout the United States by motor home. I, too, traveled the U.S. the same way. It is such a wonderful way to travel our country!
When she grows up (what?), Natalie aspires to become a rocket scientist.
Though she never fell in her youth, Natalie was a tree climber. My goodness, you didn't leave much more to do, did you? Few of us could have kept up with you! You have a great spirit! Don't ever change!
This Sunshine Gardens resident though quiet and very pleasant is indeed very helpful when requested to do something. Her name is Marion Layman.
She was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in numerous cities which included Miami, New York City, Palo Alto, Pensacola, Virginia Beach, Washington, D.C., and Anaheim. Obviously, Marion was quite restless in her youth and couldn't settle in one place.
She obtained her high school diploma in Miami, Florida.
Marion's father was a successful insurance agent while her mom was a homemaker. Her children lived everywhere like Washington, Colorado, California, and Delaware.
Marion's many international voyages included such fascinating places as Bangkok, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and for two years. . .all over Europe!
Now, a son lives in Durango. We hope you'll stay for sometime in Durango as we enjoy your company and hope you feel likewise about us.
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CAREGIVER'S CORNER
By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident Did you know that wonderful and efficient caretaker Keri Swartz's daughter, Brittany, joined the military service and is currently in Afghanistan. Brittany has a fiance and they plan to marry in October 2010.
To assure themselves this will happen on time, he, too, joined the military service and is also stationed in Afghanistan. The things we do! Marriage? Quien Sabe?
Caretaker Kellie Thompson, so sweet and pleasant. She has 6 brothers all living in Durango. Additionally, Kellie is older than all of the brothers. Do you wonder now whose the boss?
Caretaker Dawn Heisman has a smile and effervescence wherever she appears is the mother of 7 children. No, this is not a typographical error. With such an accomplishment, do you wonder how the title Heisman truly originated?
Carly Seimers, attractive and always full of smiles, has recently taken off on vacation to visit her parents in her native state of Alaska.
Accompanying her was her close companion whose name escapes me. He, I understand, is serious, intelligent, and pleasant. Does anything at all enter your mind about the future?
Did you know that all of these remarks end with a question mark? |
Church Group Brings Smiles
By: Lou Gans, Sunshine Gardens Resident
Through the auspices and cooperation of the First Babtist Church of Guaman, Oklahoma, many residents of Sunshine Gardens West were privledged to meet, pleasantly socialize, and participate in several activities with youthful volunteers sponsored by the church.
Eight young church members ages 14-18 spent three days in Durango in these events and told me personally that it was very enjoyable, beautiful, and of the residents they met, they are all unique each in his or her own way.
Included amongst those they met were Mary C., Elsie, Bobbie, and Bill B. From Sunshine Gardens staff our heartfelt thanks to visitors Ben Burke, Shelby, Sabrina, Rivera, Adriana Walker, Taylor Kerr, Alexis Wiebe, and sponsors Steve Martin and Tom Higgins.
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Continuing the theme of smiles. . .this made me laugh. . .
I was recently talking to some of the residents about our big Fiesta Party during our weekly manicure social. My girl, Elizabeth Southard, offered her input for a fun party. She said everyone would be required to wear bikinis and speedos. We all got a good chuckle out of that. Imagine that party and you can't help but smile. :-)
Sincerely,
Trisha Kellogg-Marketing Director
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