Saturday, August 4, 2007~

Dear Journal~

Sopai! Jambo! Habari gani? Mzuri sana, asante sana!

It's your Maasai friend, M'Buti Ayala Moore-Sormiento!

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything in this, my journal; I am indeed sorry for this, but with all the little ones I have, somehow it's not surprising.

Well, Eshe' and Kibarake, the twins, are starting kindergarten this year, in several weeks. Roberto and I have already started shopping for their required school supplies according to the lists that were sent to us in the post; whoever knew a kindergarten student would need so much in the way of supplies?? It's incredible!!

As for our eldest child, Jubaki (he's now ten, going into grade five), he is more than ready to start school: he is quickly becoming bored with what is left of his summer vacation! He misses his school friends, he misses his teachers, and most of all, the excitement of learning. I am proud to say that Jubaki has always been a very bright, conscientious student. He is one of those types of kids who cannot wait to get on the bus in the morning, just so he can see what is new on the learning circuit!

This year, Jubaki is seriously contemplating on joining the school's youth basketball team. He has a natural flair for athletics--football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf: doesn't matter--he is good at all sports. Jubaki is very tall (why not? Look at us, his parents: daddy Roberto is 6'2" tall while I, his mamma, am 6'5" tall!!); he easily towers over the other children in his grade!

He is as lithe, as graceful as a gazelle, quick as a cheetah, smart like a lioness on a hunt. We are very proud of Jubaki; he is definitely a gift from God!

The other children are growing like weeds: our triplet sons (Keloki, Koji, and Kenji) will be three years old in November; they are quickly turning into miniature versions of their daddy (they favor him in looks); they are walking, talking, just generally tearing up the house. LOL

The quadruplets are going to be two; they are no longer so little. Like their older brothers, the quads are walking, talking, getting into everything; cleaning up after them is probably the biggest challenge I face. That, or keeping them out of mischief, which is next to impossible at times!

I'm so busy running after little boys (and one lone little girl) I don't know whether I'm coming or going half of the time! My own health challenges don't help at times, especially if my blood pressure is low (it's a trial to keep from getting lightheaded or to the point of passing out unexpectedly) or if my fibromyalgia rears its ugly head, or if I get winded (I have weak lungs) and have to have a snort of oxygen. I also walk with crutches and have a leg that doesn't work; that slows me down as well.

In addition, if I get in direct sunlight for a lengthy period of time, my burn scars start itching like mad, feels like millions of ants crawling all over me until I feel like I'm about to go mad!! This is why if you see me out in public on a hot summery day I'm dressed for comfort: wear as little as possible without exposing too much (then people stare, as my scars are now in full view, which always makes me uncomfortable!). I wear my African muumuu or my shuka (Masai-style robe) in the summer (or if I'm feeling daring, a tank top or shorts), on rare occasions, capri pants or teeshirts (light or pastel colored). Anything to keep cool, so I don't itch so much.

At night, when I retire to bed, I wish I could say my health woes end, but I'm afraid they don't. At night, I have what is known as "restless leg syndrome". It's is as if my legs want to keep moving when I am trying to go to sleep, and it wakes me up several times during the night. They also feel as if bugs are crawling up them, and by the time morning arrives, I look (and feel) like death. I have since started to take medication to try to alleviate the worst symptoms, but so far, no relief. Roberto keeps telling me not to worry; it takes a little while for the medication to take effect. He tells me to be patient; I'm afraid that patience is not one of my stronger virtues! I'm more of an impatient patient! LOL

Ask Roberto. He knows this for a fact. When I was in hospital prior to my pain reduction surgery, I was subjected to constant, severe, unrelenting pain that ruled my life. My pain was so bad it was all I could think about. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't do anything but lie in bed and scream, cry out for relief. It got to the point two where if I ate I'd get sick, throw everything back up. I withered down to under 70 pounds; I was a living, breathing human skeleton. I was cachexic, looked like hell. I had to be fed by tubes, monitored constantly until the doctors found the root cause of my trouble. I ended up having that nerve cut; it was the only way to end the misery I'd endured for over a year.

The surgery worked wonders, but not without incident: one of my legs is permanently paralyzed; can't move it all that well; had to have  therapy to relearn how to walk when I'd gained enough strength back. It was a very horrible time for me in my life, not only for me, but for my husband. He had to take time off work so he could take care of me. I was extremely ill; I nearly died several times. (Back then, at my worst, I wish I had.)

Now I look back to that point of my life to where I am now, and it is a miracle I'm even here. God has brought me through; I am a living, walking testiment to the power of the human spirit; I am a true survivor.

Now I go around to different churches or luncheons, speaking to people about my life, am even toying with the idea of writing out my life story in a book. God has gifted me with the ability to reach out to hurting souls, to uplift, encourage, embrace. Sharing my own lif story with others is a powerful tool; at times my life isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I've lived it, and if I can survive unbelievable tragedy, then by God, you can, too!

Well, the quads are waking up from their naps, so I will go now (plus the triplets are throwing Alphabets at each other). *Siggggh* A mother's work is never done!

~M'Buti. :)

P.S.: My friend's son Johnny is okay! He had some tests yesterday (an MRI scan in the morning, then an EMG test in the later afternoon), to see how far his muscular dystrophy has advanced, and it wasn't nearly as bad as first thought. So very good news there; I am so happy for the Sanduskys!

Also, Ronee' broke her foot; she's now hobbling around on her crutches and has a nice bright pink cast on her one foot. She fell after she stopped in a hole. She is to be on the crutches and cast for six to eight weeks, the poor dear.

~M'Buti.