11980 Highway 142 N • Oxford, GA 30054 • (770) 786-4688

MERRYVALEA Premier Assisted Living

Community

August 2016MERRYVALE VETERANS’ BREAKFAST CLUBWILL NOT meet for the summer. We’ll see you

again in September!

SUPPORT GROUPSSANDWICH GENERATION SUPPORT GROUP

1st Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.Location To Be Determined

1105 Church St., Covington, GA 30014...

LEWY BODY DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP2nd Tuesday of each month at10 a.m. in the Merryvale Library

...ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP

Peer Support Group3rd Thursday of each month at7 p.m. in the Merryvale Library

Life and Ice Cream“Life is like an ice cream cone; you have to

lick it one day at a time.” —Charles M. Schulz

Gena’s CornerHave the “dog days” of summer left you “panting?”

It has already been a very hot season and we are onlynow entering into the heat of August. Our drought ispresent, but not to the extent as in many areas of thecountry like the West Coast. I recently visited there tobe with my daughter, son-in-law, and newgranddaughter, Amelie Grey Bishop. It is a joy to sharemy grandbaby news with the residents of Merryvalewho boast of grands and great grands. Amelie, likeevery new baby, is a small miracle and reminds us that“hope springs eternal.” I look forward to investing timeand prayer to help prepare her for her place inthis world.

Our videographer did arrive in July and thanks toour Marketing Director Cindy Archer and a great teamof staff, residents, and families, we had a day of activityand interviews showcasing our community. We will letyou know when the video appears on our website.

Learning is important for the healthy maintenance ofthe brain and its impact is influenced by how expansiveand interactive it is. We are excited about new“in-house” opportunities at Merryvale to engage inlifelong learning. There will be live video conferenceswith museums, presidential libraries, national parks, aspeaker series, and virtual field trips around the worldand at home. If there’s an idea that interests you, pleaselet us know.

Take some time to rest and relax this summer, andremember that Merryvale can help with respite care ifyou need to be away from home. A family memberrecently told us that “A stay at Merryvale is like cruisingon a beautiful cruise ship.” Let us know if we can offerthat support to you or a family member you love.

More pictures from our week-long patrioticcelebration with great music, good food,and an Uncle Sam Sing a Long!

Uncle Sam Sing a Long! Our very talentedresident pianist led us in patriotic musicand old favorites.

Activities

Making unique greeting cards - led by oneof our many creative resident artists!

SpotlightResident

Bobbie Banks and her beautiful suite-mate“Maggie” are a special part of ourMerryvale family! Bobbie faithfully leadsour Adult Bible Study and Communion onSundays. She also enjoys visiting with ourRose Lane family and helping whereverneeded. Of course, Maggie is alwaysclose by, and is a favorite friend of our petlovers!Bobbie grew up in Newport News, VA,with her brother and two sisters. As ayoung girl, Bobbie wanted to be a nurse,and always took special care of all of herdolls- even performing surgery whennecessary! She graduated from nursingschool and then later taught K-1st grade.She married her husband, Ben, who was aveteran in the Air Corp and flew 46missions, in Forsythe, GA. Bobbie andBen were blessed with two daughters, fourgrandchildren, and fourgreat-grandchildren.We are so thankful for Bobbie and Maggieand all they do to make Merryvale awonderful place to call home!

So many of our Merryvale folks lovenature and gardening, so we take everyopportunity to hop on our bus and see thebeauty around us!A few weeks ago we were invited to“Lucy’s Garden.” We were stunned by theamazing variety of her lovely privategardens, fountains, and more. Beforeheading home, Lucy and her husbandinvited us to their breezy back porch forice cold lemonade and cookies. Thanks,Lucy, for a real treat and Southernhospitality at its best!

About

Out &

August Resident ofthe Month

Ms. Emily Betts

Emily is aGeorgia nativewho loves RVcamping and herAtlanta Braves!She was marriedto Hallie for 61years and has a

son, Butch; a daughter, Sheryl;six grandchildren; and ninegreat-grandchildren. Emily wentto business school in Griffin,and worked as secretary for thepresident of Rhodes FurnitureCompany. Emily became amember of the Merryvale familyin February of this year and herlaughter and ear-to-ear smilebring us much joy!

Rose Lane Round-Up!

CREATING MOMENTSOF JOY!

All Smiles!

Tender Thoughts From“God’s Grace and Mom’s

Alzheimer’s” Blog“He [God] is growing our

patience as we care for her. He isdeveloping our tenderness andmercy. God is giving usopportunities to show love to adear mom who loved us all sowell when she was able andstrong. He’s sending us smilesand laughter with Mom’s quirkyways and funny words. He’schallenging us to love faithfullywhen she is angry and difficult.

People with dementia are stillpeople. And God still has a planfor their lives. Even when theyare bedridden and can donothing at all, maybe their verylife keeps us clinging to Godmore. Maybe their very existencedraws us closer to God as weseek Him and cry out to Him.”

“What I’ll Say to MyChildren if I’m Diagnosed

With Alzheimer’s”“And don’t forget to take sometime to just sit quietly next to

me. Hold my wrinkled hand andlet God whisper to your soul.I’m so sorry you have to go

through this painful journeywith me, but God will give youstrength and grow you throughit all. Hold fast unto Him. Sink

deep into His love.”“Everything will be better in

heaven. Meanwhile, when I can’ttalk anymore; just know that I

love you forever and that being amom to you was an honor and

the delight of my life.”

www.illustratus.com

Merryvale Assisted Living11980 Hwy 142 NOxford, GA 30054(770) 786-4688www.merryvaleal.com