Now I am SUPER EXCITED...Elaine, (who I said was the first person I didn't personally know that passed her tag)...passed on her tag right away, too!!! So now this tag has been to three different people! (I guess this can work!) YAY! To say I LoVe that would be an understatement! And the stories coming in about these amazing people are so wonderful! And how fun is it that these women stay friends just through emailing daily! I think emailing is such a great tool! It has totally helped me to stay in touch with my friends and family that don't live close by. Not sure what we would do without it anymore really! We would have missed out on so much of each others lives! Text-ing is great, too!!! :) Elaine said that Joan tagged her with a wonderful gift...so now she was tagging Patty! PERFECT!
Here is Elaine's story...I have tagged Patricia Duong who is an email friend of mine. She represents the strong women I admire. Patty and I have been part of a group of four women who have enjoyed each other’s company for many years even though two of us are in CA and two in CT. I was the last to join this group and have been impressed by how we all have benefited from the daily emails back and forth. We four probably know each other better than some of our siblings know each of us.
Patty was born and raised in Connecticut. She raised two daughters, Rebecca and Tina from her first marriage and had a son, Joseph, when she married Diep Duong. She also acquired some stepsons, Tuan and Dung. Patty, has twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Patty has always enjoyed her grandchildren being at her home and often took them to see her favorite things, dog shows and Powwows in the areas. Patty is very interested in Indian tribes, their customs and history. Patty is particularly fond of Collies and raised them for a time. She showed her smooth Collie, Champion Pride’n’Joy, when he was younger, and collects anything representative of the breed.
Patty, was very involved in the Senior Citizens’ Center and enjoyed the exercise classes and the dancing classes offered. She also attended special luncheons there. Patty was also a hardworking member of the Blue Star Mothers. She helped to get donations of things to send to military men and women stationed in battle areas. She baked dozens of cookies and helped pack the boxes to be sent.
In 2009, Patty’s husband Diep began to have problems with his health. She took him to many different doctors until finally one diagnosed the problem as Lou Gehrig’s Disease – Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Patty took care of Diep and got all services possible for him as this terrible disease progressed. It affected his walking, then his ability to eat without choking, and took his life in early 2010. During this time, Patty kept up her spirits, cared not only for her dying husband, but brought her daughter into her home when Rebecca lost her job and was having problems getting work again. She had her son, Joey, back home after military service, adjusting to civilian life and seeking work also.
After Diep’s death, their home had to be sold to satisfy the will he had left. Patty tackled the job of selling much of the contents of the house and packing her things to move. She never took time to just sit and grieve and even feel sorry for herself. She prepared for a new life for herself as a widow. Patty moved her animals and herself to Kentucky to live near one of her sisters, Ann and husband, Garey. She now has her own home, with room for a large garden and an area for her dogs. She has joined the Senior Citizens’ Center in a nearby town and is dancing again and doing other activities there. She has made many new friends and joined a local church. She is active, energetic, and involved.
Patty is a lung cancer survivor who went through radiation and chemo therapy. She has done all the tests each year to insure that she is still cancer free. This year, Patty’s tests discovered a problem in one of her kidneys and she is now being tested to see if surgery is needed. She is ready to conquer this possible cancer with a positive attitude and the same survivor spirit that pulled her through a fight with lung cancer.
Patty’s spirit is astonishing and her love of people is exhibited always. She was thrilled this year to be able to host a dinner for Ron and Kristal Cooper. Ron Cooper is a Comanche Indian descendant. He decided to walk the nearly 850 mile northern route of the Trail of Tears to bring attention to the fact that all Indian tribes have similar stories to tell. His wife, Kristal, drove a support truck pulling their camper, as he walked. Patty met them at a gathering to hear him speak and invited them to stay with her.
Patty, to me, exemplifies the woman who cares for family and friends. She extends that caring to important issues such as welfare of our military troops and to Indian issues. She has been an inspiration to all of us in our email group. Patty has been there for us with hope and prayers when they were needed and just saying the right thing to bring smiles. She has shared her family and her animals and her adventures. She makes a difference for many people.
