Re: CAN ANYONE RELATE TO THIS????/Cut

[Guest guest]

Here's where I am going to add a bit of humor...or possibility it's reality...

Years ago I had the honor of seeing Patch here in Des Moines, Iowa,

September 11, 2002. He had the opportunity to go to Europe on the 1 year

anniversary of 9-11 but instead chose Iowa. He is amazing. I was able to go on

stage and meet him in person, even got his autograph in his book...and here's

where it all started...

I was mentioning his book in this group and could NOT, for the life of me,

remember the name of the book. remembered AFTER my post...it's " Gesundheit " ...

Well, my post was picked up by a few other caregivers in this group of which all

of us had/have decided there has to be a sense of caregiver's dementia that goes

along with this whole journey. I believe in my post I " thought " , using my

caregiver's memory at the time, the book was called " Gunthers " and so it began!

Gunthers became a facility of refuge for us caregivers. We plan to have our own

rooms and possibly start filling them with items we can relate to now in hopes

we will remember and recognize them at the time of our admittance. I drive a

Ford F150 extended cab so I have offered to pick up other caregivers on my/our

way to Gunthers. Gunthers, over the years has been the topic of conversation

back and forth, when needed, and will be there for any and all that might " need

a room " . It's open for you, too, Jeff. No fish cleaning required.

Also, I have organized 2 caregivers gatherings, the last being August of 2008.

A dear friend/caregiver in Canada sent for my birthday a t-shirt, with bold

block lettering across the top where sports jerseys names appear...GUNTHERS and

brought with her 2 lapel pins that read... " If lost please return to Gunthers " .

I pinned it on the visor of my truck back then and it's still there. My hope is

it may come in handy one of these days when I reside at Gunthers.

So, in a nutshell, or " nutty-shell " that's the story behind the creation of

Gunthers. All here all are welcome!

I was caregiver to my dad, Merle, who passed away coming up on 10 years ago of

LBD. He was diagnosed at the age of 58 years old and passed away at age 65. I

became what felt like an orphan at the age of 39 back then.

Please remember to all, we are only responsible for the effort, not the result.

And, we only know what we know. Lots of hugs to all- Sandie

Des Moines, IA

dad, Merle, passed from LBD 9-20-02, age 65

----- CAN ANYONE RELATE TO THIS????

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>I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS......................... BUT*

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>I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME

>WAY MORE OFTEN AS AN ADULT

>THAN I EVER DID AS A KID!!!!!!

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>ANY PERTINENT THOUGHTS?

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>I LOVE YOU GUYS AND PRAY THAT ALL HAVE A RELATIVELY CARE FREE DAY

>GET IT???? CAREFREE/CARE FREE????? WHATEVER, HAVE A GOOD ONE, GUYS

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>ALWAYS,

>ALL WAYS,

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> Jo

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