JOAN’S BLOG – MON/TUES., FEBRUARY 15/16, 2010 – JOAN HOSTS A BON VOYAGE BRUNCH

Monday was a very special day for me and those of our members who are now sailing the Caribbean on the Caregiver Cruise .  As I am writing this, they are probably unpacking and settling into their cabins, anxious to hit the deck with a Pina Colada in hand.

Due to family obligations that are going to take me up North, I was not able to accompany everyone on this cruise. But I wanted to meet those who were not on last year’s cruise with me, and see again those who were. I also wanted to do something special for them. Since I live only 2 hours from the Port of Miami, I decided to host a Bon Voyage, Meet and Greet Brunch  at the hotel where everyone was staying. I tried to keep it a secret from all of you, because I wanted to surprise you with the pictures, but as I found out, there are no secrets or surprises in cyberspace. As soon as I sent out the invitations for the brunch, with requests to keep it mum, e-mails went flying back and forth across the country. I hope there are some of you for whom this will still be a surprise.

Taking the cruise are – screen names – Mary, Dee, Briegull, Lmohr, NancyB, Janet, and Paul. However, since many of the cruisers are e-mail buddies with two Floridians who live within driving distance of Miami, they asked if those two could join us at the brunch and meet everyone. Our “surprise” guests were Phranque and Bluedaze. Believe me, it was no surprise. Everyone knew they were coming.

It was an incredible experience to spend time with everyone. It was a warm, loving, atmosphere – as if we were old friends who had known each other for years, even though many of us had just met that morning. But after all, we are friends on this website – We learn from each other; we share our tragedies, triumphs, innermost fears and emotions with one another. We are a family.

When one questions what good could possibly come from this horrible disease having invaded our lives, I think of the friends it has brought me, whom I otherwise would not have met.

So for those of you who were not able to take this cruise (maybe next year), I present to you – The Alzheimer Spouse Caregiver Cruisers. Now remember, some of you are virtual cruisers. Some of your “virtual selves” are in these pictures. There will be many more “actual” and “virtual” pictures from the cruise. Paul did not attend the brunch, and I did not get a chance to ask NancyB’s permission to post her picture, so in the interest of privacy, I have not done so. if she would like her picture posted, it will be put up after the cruise.

From left: Mary, Dee, Phranque, Lmohr, Bluedaze

Dee holding Virtual Texas Joe, Mary holding Virtual Teena Cahill, Bluedaze holding Virtual Vickie, and I think that is Virtual Deb in Briegull's hand.

Phranque

Briegull, Joan, and Lmohr

Bluedaze, Joan, and Janet

Dee, Joan, and Mary

MESSAGE BOARD: BON VOYAGE BRUNCH

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The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
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