Louisiana, freshly rested from a nap, writes to her friends in Alaska while sitting 35,000 feet up in the air on an airplane, where she is on her way back to America from Sri Lanka, where she was part of a humanitarian rescue team.
Monday, January 17, 2005 (Martin Luther King Day)~
Dear Jenna and Michael~
Hi! I am sitting here on the plane, where I just have awakened from a nice, long, luxurious nap. I am on my way back home to America--and to Tennessee--; we just finished up our week in Sri Lanka; and let me tell you..I will be soo glad to see my family and my house again! I saw and heard things that will stay with me forever, and I saw so much sadness and despair; I am ready for a change to something much more positive!
You can't believe what those poor people over there in Sri Lanka endured after the tsunami: villages and towns reduced to rubble, families ripped apart by death and destruction; people looking at you with such hopelessness in their eyes and such sadness in their faces. Bodies littering the ground, the smell is unbelievable; and it appears as though a nuclear bomb decimated the area! I don't think I will ever forget what I saw or experienced for the rest of my days! But I am glad I was able to make a little bit of difference in some people's lives! I would do it again if I could; I wouldn't say I exactly "enjoyed" my time in Sri Lanka, but I am glad that God laid this into my heart!
I also have some good news: I saw two little children there (both lost family members and are now orphans), and I fell in love with the both of them: a little baby boy about six months in age, and a little girl not much older than five (although she looks younger). The little boy was, thankfully, unhurt, but the little girl was in a coma and just woke up two days ago and seems to have everything in working order; but she still faces a long and lengthy recovery. Their names were Rani (the girl) and Arjun (the little baby), and I hope to eventually adopt them when they are able to be put up for adoption.
I know it sounds crazy, as I already have FIFTY children now; but I saw their faces; and I held both of them in my arms; and they just felt as though they BELONGED there! I don't know what Bill is going to think or say when I tell them about Arjun and Rani, but I want those two beautiful little ones! They have no future, and they have no family to love them! I think this is the only the RIGHT thing to do!
So far, the flight is going well; but I have been sleeping, and I am now sitting here, writing, and looking at the sleeping forms of my co-workers. Dr. Wright is sleeping, and my nurses Gloria Trainor, Jules Montanegra, and Kerry Weaver, are talking softly amongst themselves, talking about what they saw and witnessed while in Sri Lanka. Gloria is still feeling poorly: she had a mild case of malaria, and she is still feeling pretty bad, but she IS starting to feel a LITTLE better. A mosquito apparently nailed her while she was asleep, and it happened to be one that was harboring the malaria germ; and it got into her system, where it then made her sick. So she was the only one who didn't have to work so hard because she spent a good part of it in bed, and we ended up taking care of HER as well as the other victims! She will see her doctor upon coming back to America, just to make sure that all is well; but I wouldn't be surprised if he puts her into the hospital for observation!
I am glad you enjoyed what we got you for Christmas; it was so nice to see you guys! That was totally unexpected, but I am glad that you made it back to your Alaskan home safely! How was your Maman, Michael? Did you enjoy seeing her again, as well as your brothers and sisters? I hope you had a nice visit with your famille en Louisiane! We enjoyed what you got us, and we thank you for your thoughtfulness!
I don't know if you got my letter when I left, so this is why I am writing you again. If so, now you have TWO letters to answer! I haven't heard from you; so this was why I wrote! I hope you and Michael are okay; I worry about you guys! Hopefully there will also be an email from Sikik in my mailbox when I get back on my computer and check my mail! I haven't heard from her since..well, I don't know how long it's been! She did write to Johnny and Ronee' before Christmas, but I haven't actually gotten a letter from her. So I will be writing to her too.
Oh! Did I tell you I saw Sari and Nikolas while in Sri Lanka? I was so surprised to see them! At first I thought I was seeing things, but then I heard Sari's sweet tinkling laugh and Nik's strong, robust one, and I knew it wasn't a dream because there they were, standing right in front of me! They came to Sri Lanka to help with the cleaning, and they had been working hard and long too. We all have; and it was a bright spot in an otherwise long, hard, emotional week! I wonder if they have written to me too, or Kendra, or Louisa, or any of my other friends...I guess I am going to have email out the ol' wazoo when I get onto my computer! (I guess I will be spending a lot of time on the ol' 'puter, trying to answer my unanswered emails! LOL At least I get a week off from work; I need it to recuperate from my trip to Sri Lanka!! LOL)
I will have to go now; I have to use the facilities. It is going to be fun trying to get up and then get my crutches as I navigate my way to the back...I am using my crutches again because my sciatica has really been giving me a hard time; maybe I ought to see my doctor too when I get back to the states...It's been so long since I last used my Lofstrands; I am a bit rusty...
Until I hear from you again, Jenna and Michael, you take care, and God bless you both! I can't wait to see your emails, and I can't wait to hear from you again! Love you both!
(((HUGS))) As always, your friend in Tn. (okay, currently on a PLANE, but I AM heading back To Tennessee!), Louisiana Mayrah. :)
Hi Karen, remember me? Thought I will look in and say hi. Hope all is well with you. Nice story here, shows the compassion within you and the loving care you show.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
Monday, January 17, 2005 (Martin Luther King Day)~
