Sandie

[Guest guest]

--- nesteabee@... wrote:

> You're getting a total gym, right? Have you tried

> the machine before? Do

> you weight train right now? I'm just curious, it

> looks like an awesome

> piece of equipment! Be sure to let us know if it's

> all it's cracked up to be!

>

> Jenni

Hey Jen )!!!!!!

Well the nice UPS guy delivered it tonight. I'll work

it tomorrow. No, I haven't tired it before. I've

tried doing free weights, but didn't have anything for

the lower legs. So I figured that this would help me

get both upper and lower body. I'll definately let

you know how I like it )!!!!!

Sandie, Tae and Bo )!!!!!!!

=====

" Believe. Believe in yourself. Believe in the one who believes in you. All

things are possible to she who believes. Blessings on your courage. "

--from " Hold That Thought " by Ban Breathnach

" I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes

from within. It is there all the time. "

--------- Freud

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandie-

Thank you for sharing such touching last moments in NZ. Must of been hard for

you to leave.

I'm so glad you were back with and had a wonderful time and so warmly

welcomed by his family.

I'm sorry you have be so far from each other but i know you both carry your

wonderful memories of your being together in your hearts until your back

together again.

Hugs-

Sharon

Re: GROUP from Sandie

Hi All-

Well, I arrived back in Des Moines around 11:35 Sunday evening. Well, it is

now 2:15 a.m. and I am still awake. I did get some sleep on the flight from NZ

to L.A. - with the help of sleeping pills.

I wanted to share with everyone my last moments with Jo. We were at 's

brothers house with his wife, son, and daughter. Jo travelled with us there and

was most pleasant. Well, Martyn and Lynette fixed us dinner and dessert. Then

it was time to start my 'good-byes'. It was terrible. I started with the head

of the family - Jo. She is such a sweet and gentle woman, so very caring and so

easy to love. She was sitting on the couch so I bent over to hug her and give

her a kiss on the cheek. She had been concerned that I wouldn't be back

( and I were outside together for a few minutes) to tell her goodbye.

Well, as I knelt down she was apologising for sitting and thought she needed to

stand up. I assured her that it would be fine and that I could hug her in her

sitting position. I thanked her for opening up her home for me, for allowing me

to help her with tasks, and for allowing me into her son's life. The tears were

building. As my voice shook and tears started to run down my face 's

brother mentioned how I was going to cry. I confirmed that and told him and

everyone that I was not good with goodbyes and leaving. So, Martyn and I

hugged, then I made my way to his kids. They, too, are so sweet. Very

intelligent and talented. Then Lynette and I hugged and I found my way to

who was patiently waiting to hold my hand and support me. Believe me

when I say that this group doesn't do justice to the heart that beats in

. He is so gentle and loving. He keeps the feelings of others before

his own. I witnessed his caregiving to his mom...helping her up out of chairs,

fixing her meals and even feeding her on numerous occasions. His gentleness and

patience is beyond words.

So, back to when I was leaving. By this time, Jo had had Martyn help her up

so she could 'give me a proper goodbye'. She hugged me again, kissed me on my

cheek, and thanked me for staying with them. She said she didn't know how they

would get along with out me there and said they would manage somehow. Most

importantly, she never realised that this was all MY honor to meet her and to

spend time with her. Gentleness, manners, hospitality, and love run through

's family. They are individual in their own ways, yet there is a common

thread - Jo, and how she showed her kids how to treat people in the most

honorable way.

As I said, I am now back home and my heart hurts. I am missing and

Jo. Please keep them in your prayers as they make their way back to there home

town, about a 5 hour drive.

Thank you for listening and for reading on about my travels.

Hugs, from Iowa - with New Zealand in my heart-

Sandie

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

Sandie:

Thanks for continuing with your benevolence and your friendship. It

sustains me more than you know.

People like you, my friend, remind me daily of the goodness in the

fabric of an otherwise topsy-turvy life.

Thanks for keeping me (and Courage too) in your thoughts...please

know, you too are in mine.

Love to you and to ,

Abby