Betty Jean Ciagalore in Florida writes to her newest friend in California, Louisa May Mason, after Louisa has taken the time to write to her.
Friday, the 18th of February, 2005, 11:37 a.m., E.S.T.~
Dear Louisa~
Thank you so much for your inspiring and uplifting letter; it was nice to hear from you again! I hope this finds you well; I am sorry to learn that you have a neuromuscular disorder (as does one of your daughters), but I am sure that with your upbeat attitude and your "can-do" spirit, you will make it through just fine.
My name is Betty Jo Ciagalore, but my friends call me "B.J." I am a single mother to two little boys, Evan and Erick, who are both just over one year old. They are not twins; but both of them come from South America, and they are the cutest little guys! They keep me hopping! LOL I am not disabled, but I have friends who are, and I feel comfortable around them, so I am sure that if I ever get the opportunity to meet you, I'd feel the same. I write to a lady in Tennessee, in Nashville, whose name is Louisiana. (Your name is quite similar to her name!) She has written to me several times, and I have emailed her back; she writes the most interesting and chatty letters! She and her husband, Bill, have an incredible *50* children (most with special needs!), and they are getting ready to adopt TWO more! YIKES! Louisiana is physically disabled, but you wouldn't know it from her lively personality that just exudes from her letters! I hope to meet her one day!
Speaking of Louisiana, she is having surgery next week; so be praying for her. She has a prolapsed disk that is pressing on her spinal cord, and it is starting to cause her problems with her walking. She is now walking with crutches, Lofstrands, and doctors say that if she doesn't have anything done to alleviate this problem, she will be in a wheelchair--permanently--before the year is up. I will most certainly be lifting her up in prayer; and I hope that she does well with her surgery and then her recovery!
I am fairly new to the world of adoption, but after the boys came, I am really starting to enjoy it. I have been reading up on the latest articles and information regarding adoption, and sometime, maybe in the future, I will be adding more kids to the family. I would like to have at least a dozen kids! LOL I have the room, and I have plenty of yard space for the kids to get their daily exercise, and I can provide them with the love and guidance! I am enjoying my boys very much, but I wish I had more time to enjoy them: you see, I am currently looking for a job (with no success as of yet), and before I go to my job, I look after my sick mother, who has emphysema and is oxygen-dependent. It is rough, but I am making it with the Lord's help! As you can see, I have a lot on my plate, but I am determined to make it through the rough patches of my life!
Well, Louisa, I have gone on long enough, so I will let you go. I will write more later. Thank you for writing to me; it was nice to hear from you! Do write again; I'd love to write to you on a regular basis!
God bless you mightily, and have a nice day! I will keep you in my prayers!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Florida, Betty Jo ("B.J.") Ciagalore. :)
Friday, the 18th of February, 2005, 11:37 a.m., E.S.T.~
