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Memories of Mingus MountainGiving Thanks for a Special Home
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with others who knew and loved Bill and Pauline as I did.
My name is Brandie, and I was among the first group of girls to arrive at Mingus mountain over 15 years
ago. I was 12 years old, coming from a background of physical, emotional, sexual abuse ,and issues of abandonment. After arriving at Mingus over the following months I began to settle in to life at the ranch. Learning
the balance of school work, chores, dealing with the scars of my past in group therapy.....it was a secure place for me to grow as a person.
I often looked forward to "Dr. D" and Bill as they frequently visited the dorm giving out lots of hugs. Some days I ached for them to come down just to feel the warmth of their embrace. It assured me that someone
truly cared about me, and gave me a reason to continue succeeding in the program. When you come from a broken life those hugs are like healing balm to your soul. (And did more good, I think, than the therapy) Smile.
Over the next couple of years Pauline tried, unsuccessfully, to place me and we realized that Mingus was becoming "home" to me. Ironically, it was
during an upcoming Thanksgiving Day weekend pass....that everyone had a place to go except for me. I was so excited when they invited me to come and stay with them for the weekend. One thing led to another, and I eventually I became part of their family for a season. They were the most loving people, and always expected the best of me. They gave me a higher standard to look at in life, taught me the value of believing in myself....and ALWAYS challenged me to grow and succeed in life. They loved me unconditionally, forgave me when I failed (which was often), and
encouraged me through difficult times. They were there for me when I had no one rooting for me. All the other programs that I was in seemed only to perpetuate the problems I already had. Mingus was a place in my life
where I received the tools I needed to continue to grow and make better decisions for myself.
Pauline was like a Mother to me, and we "adopted" each other in our hearts. Even after leaving her home we continued to keep in touch over the years through phone calls and letters. She called me a week before their plane went down....and I was very grateful to have been able to speak with her one last time. I have saved every letter she ever wrote to me....and read them with a longing heart in hopes that someday I will see her and Bill in Heaven, and run to their arms and hug them again......
I cannot express in words the deep feeling of loss and sorrow that I carry in my heart, but a part of them lives on through my life. The ways that they invested in me will live on. I know how to love now, because they loved me. I know compassion, for they imparted it to me. I can believe in myself, because they believed in me. I can hold their memory in my heart because they made that connection with me. I love you Pauline and Bill. Thank you for a special home.
May God comfort those hearts that are broken........ Brandie Gatlin (Thompson)P.S. Feel free to contact me, especially those who were part of my "Mingus" family. Including the staff, I would love to hear from you.
Brandie Thompson (Gatlin) alias: "Bran Flakes"
Va. Beach, Va.
I met Bill Don Carlos in the early 80's. He was part of our team that presented financial planning seminars in Sun City. He did the Estate Planning talk, of course. I sat and talked with him on several occasions and learned that he was a low key wonderful man. He made up my trust and charged me hardly nothing. I was a single parent and had a history of cancer.
I met Pauline at a Christmas dinner that we had with our clients and she was beautiful. I learned of their starting a girls' ranch in Northern Arizona. When my daughter started her teenage years she had a rough time. At one point she was self destructive and was heading down the wrong path quickly. I called Bill at his office in Sun City and asked him about more information on the girls home.
We decided to take my daughter, Wendy Wilson, to this home. This was in 1992. Wendy stayed for three months and we saw a wonderful change in her life. She loved horses! Wendy is now married (4) years to a great guy and has a beautiful son Jordan age 2. The counselors and administration at MME are heroes in my book.
We were saddened to hear of the airplane crash on Monday. I believe in God's word and know that they are with Jesus and will live eternally with him. We that are left here on earth are heart broken at our loss, but God has them in his care. What better place to be! We will be sending a donation regularly to this home.
Thank you MME for the miracle you worked in my daughters life.
Margaret S. Chatters, Overgaard, Arizona
On behalf of the entire Royal Oaks Retirement Community in Sun City, Arizona, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family's of Bill and Pauline.
Royal Oaks has been a good friend to Mingus Mountain Estates and over the years we have donated beds, mattresses, tables and chairs for the dining room and countless other items. It was very hard to turn Pauline down, she had a way about her that made others want to help. We will continue to support their dream and are grateful that we knew her.
Kendra Eberhart
Hello,
My name is Donna Hardin. I was one of the first residents of Mingus Mountain Estate. In 1985 Dr. Don Carlos and Bill Don Carlos flew us three girls up to the ranch. We were the first three girls to go there. I remember going riding and having trouble with the horse I was riding. Bill had to get on the horse and have a talk with him for me. He was very patient with us girls and we really enjoyed riding with him. I also remember that they got us rabbits when there were still only a few of us there. She thought we needed pets to play with.
I also remember her son Matt. He used to give us rides on his Quad and his three wheeler. He was also very nice to us even though he probably got tired of us taking all his mothers time. I am thankful for the opportunity I had in going there.
I left there and have never regretted something so much as I did that. I do have a good life now and it is all because of her. If not for people like those two where would the world be today? It is not fair to loose such great people. But we can take comfort in knowing that they helped so many and changed so many lives.
Anyway I wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss and to thank you for sharing your family with so many people who needed them.
With deepest sympathy, Donna Jean Hardin (Norris)
Hi Mr. Don Carlos,
My name is Cheryl Thieme and I've worked at MMERCI for just over 7 years. During that time I came to know and love Bill & Pauline very much. I put together a couple of photos that I thought you might like to have. I will search through mine for some older ones and send them to you periodically if you like. I was just enjoying some of the memories and put these together to see what they would look like. I hope all is going well for all of you.
Take good care,
Cheryl
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Revised Monday, March 05, 2001 10:58:45 AM