Well it began when my father Jeff McDonald married Geronimo's aunt Marilyn Mitchell and united the family in 2003. They were together for many years before that as well too. There is a 6 year age difference between us and so we were never around each other as children. In 1995 Geronimo moved to Atlanta, GA to begin his life as an adult, returning after his mothers cancer diagnosis in 2008. I have mostly always been in California, in 2013 I was spending more time at the Greer-Dukes household as well as Geronimo. Time passed and we grew closer.......it just kinda happened. In July of 2014 we attended the CA State Fair and shortly after everything fell into place. We moved in together (at our current residence on the river) November of 2014. Just 2 short months later I was hit head on by a drunk driver 4 miles from my home...January 25, 2015! Geronimo was the first person that arrived! The officer that arrived told me he thought there wouldn't have been any survivors based on the scene. I had left my phone at home that day, the accident happened in front of his childhood friend's home on the river road just outside of Hood, CA. Bob Bearce came flying up to the road on his quad, when he saw it was me, he asked if I was ok to which I responded "NO, call Gerry I don't have my phone." That man came to my rescue SO FAST! He was there with me for everything too. The surgery, all the doctors visits, the medical equipment and having to carry me even, the physical therapy, and all of the crazy emotions I had to deal with. He was a Saint through it all, he picked up the slack for my kids when I couldn't physically do it. Through the years we have lost family members, gained new family members as well as the births of our 4 grandchildren. They sure do put a twinkle in our eyes and smile that lights up our faces, they are truly a blessing. We have definitely had our share of ups and downs but those make our bond stronger in the end. This year Geronimo's daughter Shelbie (the youngest of our 4 children) is turning 18 at the end of September! They will all be grown up. We are looking forward to traveling more and enjoying time with friends and family.