Tony Sonny, youthful and aggressive, learns rapidly as a new caregiver.  Born in Tuba City, Arizona, Tony, prior to now, was a preschool teacher and also a front desk receptionist.  Originally, Tony came to Durango to study, becoming a teacher thru his education obtained at Fort Lewis College and he is to be admired for this.  Tony also attended school at Hard Rock and Tuba City.  His father Delbert is a railroad machine operator, while his mom, Melindanne performed as a homemaker.  Still young and unmarried he has time for the future.  Both his siblings Julio and Dayliah reside in Hard Rock, AZ.  In the spring of 2008, Tony went to Washington DC to attend a leadership conference.  Tony has aspirations of becoming a doctor of education and library sciences.  Good luck with these desires, also best regards to Willie Nelson (who Tony met at a Tuba City gas station once!).

This new caretaker, LaGailene Begay, shows all the signs of one wanting to succeed.  Born in Fort Defiance, Arizona, she then moved to Virginia Beach, North Carolina and then San Diego.  At one time a legal clerk, LaGailene now will complete her final year at Fort Lewis College this December.  Two siblings live in Arizona and one in Washington State.  LaGailine's travel experiences include Australia, Singapore, and Africa, plus three times in Hawaii.  Presently LaGailene desires to become a Naturopathic Doctor and travel to India.  Unmarried, but someday soon.  One of her old best friends is now her roommate.  Continue to expand everywhere, your future successes will outweigh the present for wonderful you.

Exerting great effort, this caregiver, Michelle Rose Renza, wants to succeed.  Born in Peekskill, New York, her only other resting place is Durango, where her parents purchased a house.  Michelle's other occupations included being a waitress, bartender and more.  Michelle studied Molecular Biology and also Forensic Studies at Fort Lewis College.  Her father John is a mechanic and mom Heidi is both an accountant and stay at home mom.  Older brother John lives in Denver.  Through mutual friends, Michelle is now engaged and has a step-son who lives here.  Michelle has been on two Caribbean cruises, and to Jamaica, Mexico and the Cayman Islands.  She would love to attain a Masters Degree in Nursing.  She successfully played in track & hurdles reaching state regionals in both.  Both grandparents are Italian born.  Whatever it is, you've got what it takes.

By: Lou

As a resident of Sunshine Gardens and also running the editorial staff of the newsletter, I have had the opportunity to read numerous articles written by a colleague, another resident here, but it never occurred to me to ask him to join the editorial staff.  However, upon my request, he gratefully accepted.  His name is Bill Steinberg and his writings will startle you and are most enjoyable.  Keep your eyes open to appreciate his writing. You will agree.

Some time ago my daughter, Cindy, gave me a small porcelain figurine that she bought on a trip to Hawaii.  T'was a caterpillar with a grass skirt on.  It came with a card that read, "Butterfly in Disguise."  Sometimes it's the smallest things that enter our lives that are the most important.
I first "met" Adelle by calling her the wrong name, I don't recall what that name was.  She didn't correct me 'till I did it the second time and then, in her quiet grandmotherly fashion, she said, "My name is Adelle."  That's how the butterfly entered my life.
When they put me at a table across from Tony, everyone had to pass by me coming and going in the dining room.  Now that I knew her name I started asking how she was feeling and her answer was always the same "grouchy."  "Oh, no you're not! and if you give me a hug I'll prove it."  We'd both smile and hug each other.  Then Adelle would quietly say, "we all need someone to love and care about us, don't we?"
From then on it was that important "hug" at least once a day.  "Gimme a hug, Adelle, so I'll sleep better tonight." "Gimme a hug Adelle, so I'll have a better day."  Once we hugged she'd say, "Baloney," and smile.  If she had a problem she'd tell me about it and say, "We all need to be cared about and appreciated, don't we?"  "Yes, we do and I'm glad we can care about each other as friends."
I was told that Adelle had fallen in her bathroom and bumped her head.  She quit showing up for our daily "hugs," and I realized the bump must be more serious than I thought.  One afternoon having decided not to go to dinner, I went out to get something to drink.  My thoughts suddenly went to Adelle and I decided to see if she could have a visitor.  Her daughter, Reba, who I had already met, answered the door.  "I'd like to see your mom for just a moment if I may?"  "She's not very responsive right now, but you're welcome to visit her for a few moments."
As I wheeled up to her bedside, Reba went to the other.  She gently said, "Mom, Bill's here to give you a 'verbal hug.'"  Adelle could not respond, but I'm sure she could hear us.  I don't remember exactly what I said, but I tried to be as comforting as I could.  After a few moments, I excused myself and bid Adelle, "goodbye for now," so Reba could care for her.
When I got back to my room I decided, for some uncanny reason, that Reba might enjoy a short story or two to take her mind off of things.  As I started to knock the door opened, it was Reba and we startled each other.  "Oh, Bill, it's you... she's gone!"  I was too dumbfounded to speak, except to say, "I'm so sorry."  "I was coming to find someone to tell you."  I dumbly said, "I brought these for you to read, but you won't have time to fool with these."  She politely took them anyway.
All the way back to my room I thought of Adelle and how we would never hug each other again.  I would never again hear her say, "We all need to be loved and appreciated, don't we?"
I called Cindy and told her what happened.  "Well Pop, do you think she was just waiting for you to tell her goodbye?"  "I don't think it was just me, Cindy, I think she wanted a 'friend' to give her one last hug even if it was only verbal."
I'll give you a real one someday, Adelle, and that's no "Baloney!"