August 5, 2012 – 4 East and 7 East

How did this happen? Two luncheons on one day? Sure, why not!

Katie coordinated the 4 East luncheon with the help of Elizabeth, Gladys, Diane, Sarah, Roger and Tim. Mary, Jillian and Jane worked together on the 7 East luncheon.

The day was a perfect summer Maryland day, sunny, hot and muggy. Great day for a bike ride and sure enough, the bikes were out!

One thing I do enjoy seeing on the drive over is the Mormon Tabernacle steeples. It means I’m less than 15 minutes from the hospital.

Katie, Gladys and Elizabeth had the tables set up and were unloading things from the cars.

Robin and her garden club, Crofton Greenery Garden Club, had made up beautiful patriotic bud vases to give to the patients and families as well as a centerpiece arrangement for the luncheon table. Thank you, Ladies! They brought a lot of smiles and really cheered up the 4th floor!

It wasn’t quite 10:30 and we weren’t scheduled to be up on 7 East until 11:00 AM so I left my stuff on a cart outside of the luncheon room and went up to check in with them. Tucked here and there throughout the hospital are nifty displays. This is one I passed on the way up.

The 4 East lunch was almost ready to begin when I came back downstairs.

This was Marine Dad Tim’s first time with us.

The 4th floor menu was:

Crackers, cheese, pickles, and pepperoni,

Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, and Rolls,

7 Layer Dip and Chips

Diane’s Potato Soup and Toppings

Fresh Fruit Bowl

Potato Salad

Green Beans

Nachos and Cheese

Assorted Desserts

Smoothies

Water and Assorted Drinks

The salad table with Crofton Greenery Club’s patriotic arrangement.

About this time, Jillian called and I took a cart down to help bring her and Mary’s stuff upstairs.

The menu for the 7 East luncheon was roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, rolls, fruit salad, tossed salad, snickerdoodles, strawberry jello pretzel salad, and assorted drinks. Elizabeth made sure we had some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and some brownies her Marine had made. The staff on the floor were very upbeat and helpful, and the patients and their family members really enjoyed the meal!

We had quilts from Bayside Quilters in Easton, Maryland, and hand-knitted caps and slippers sent from Michigan by Carole and “The Castaways”, as well as Notes 4 Bethesda to give out to those who wanted them.

A whole lotta love went into today’s luncheons! Thank you Katie, Elizabeth, Gladys, Diane, Sarah, Tim, Roger, Mary and Jillian for making the day so special! Job Well Done!

Many thanks to the staff at Walter Reed for allowing us to serve our Nation’s wounded and their families during such a life-changing time of their lives.

To learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury please visit the following links:

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center – http://www.dvbic.org/research/browse/current-dvbic-studies

Brainline.org – http://www.brainline.org/

Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, Inc. -. www.lapublishing.com

Until next time, continued prayers for our military and their families.

Love and Hugs,