Community Thanks September 25, 2016

Concert organizer touched by support

As you, the people of this community, read this letter, I am at Sacred Heart Medical Center being treated for cancer. So I want to take this time to thank you for your support.

Since I shared the news of my illness last spring, you have rallied in support of me. You have contributed to a fund to help me with medical expenses and lost income. You have stopped me on the street, hugged me and told me you’re praying for me. You have identified yourself as a cancer survivor and told me that I will also survive. You have come to the concerts in Hayden, Coeur d’Alene City Park and Downtown Coeur d’Alene to share your encouragement. You attended the benefit concert at Coeur d’Alene City Park and contributed generously through donations and the purchasing of my CD “One Short Of A Dozen.”

You have offered to cook meals, run errands, take care of my home, etc. You have asked “How are you doing” and sincerely listened as I described the good and the bad. You have embraced my family, especially my brother Rick, who came out to help me. You have organized a sales team to sell the concert sponsorships for the 2017 concert series. You came to the last concert on Sept. 11 to wish me the best. And over and over and over again, you said those three magical words to me: I love you.

Kootenai County is a nice place to live with its beautiful scenery and lakes. But what makes it great to live here is the people. I am not the first that you have come out to help nor will I be the last. We take care of each other, doing whatever is necessary to help each other when in need.

I will be under the radar for several months as I recover and adjust to my “new normal.” By next May, I will be back in the saddle, ready to stage the Summer Concert Series in Hayden, Coeur d’Alene City Park and downtown Coeur d’Alene. So, until I see you again, I want to say those three magical words to you: I love you.

Thank you. And God Bless You.

CHRIS GUGGEMOS

Coeur d’Alene