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This afternoon, someone knocked at my door. They were carrying a big box. Not receiving many visitors I was surprised. The Teddy Bear Gang has struck again! Opening the unexpected box, it contained the card and the biggest Honey colored bear I have ever seen. I held it out and looked into its eyes and emotion overcame me. Tears came to the eyes and it meant so much to me that someone cared. Like several of you, I too have been here in the trenches slogging away, doing what ever is necessary to keep things running smoothly when Barbara needs me. We have been here 10 years. As time is measured, we are here, but for a season. Many of our friends, who are loved and missed, are not with us anymore but we have been blessed with their spirit and knowledge. Barbara Patterson, our founder has been in the hospital with a sick gall bladder. She returned home today to allow it to heal before surgery. She was pleased that the list knew. Barbara has been blessed by The Teddy Bear Gang also and loves hers' to pieces. Perhaps, you have not heard about The Teddy Bear Gang. Here is how their spokesperson, Edith Love, expresses their purpose. "The TEDDY BEAR GANG consists of an anonymous group of Parkinson, Parkinson Plus and undiagnosed degenerative neuromuscular disease patients, most of whom live on limited incomes. They met on the Internet and became friends. When one of their number became seriously ill, to cheer her, they sent the first Teddy Bear. The gift was an overwhelming success! Armed with such a wonderful response from the first Teddy Bear recipient, and aware that no one was actively doing anything to improve patients' and their Caregivers' Quality of Life, the TEDDY BEAR GANG members decided to pool their money in an attempt, even in a small way, to give PDers, etc., and their Caregivers something to hold onto, something soft enough to hug and to love, something soft enough on which to put one's head. A teddy bear does that! All of us, and I include myself, have been hit with the STRANGER WITHIN who attempts to destroy our lives, who attempts to take our dignity and our self esteem. The TEDDY BEAR GANG fights this STRANGER WITHIN with laughter, smiles and with love in the form of a Teddy Bear. These, along with FRIENDSHIP, are sent with the sincerest caring. FOR THE TEDDY BEAR GANG Edith Love, Spokesperson" Like many who contributed toward my Teddy Bear, I am not flush. Over the years I have shared what I have had with those who did not. Ten years is a long time and I think it is time for the PIENO website to take a sabbatical. This time of year I have to determine whether to renew the website contract or fix my broken computer. I'm sorry. John Cottingham ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn