Prescott, Arizona, July 2011~
Wyndi Storm Piestala writing. Hope this finds you well (not to mention, cooler than it is here, but then, according to the news, much of the country is in the grips of a heat wave, and it doesn't look like it is going to end anytime soon ... ).
The thing to remember about hot weather is this: stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids, and if you must get out for any reason whatsoever, wear light, comfortable clothing and dress in layers.
I have lived here all my life, so I'm used to the heat and besides when it is at its worst, I stay in. I have to with my health; the heat just seems to maximize things.
I am doing fairly well, all things considering. I did finally get my disability pay, so at least I'm not worrying so much about how I am going to pay my bills. Thank God my friend Rainbow Eaglefeather, my best friend (and roomie) has been helping me out whenever money got tight! I don't know what I would ever do without her; she helped me when I needed it the most; we've been best friends ever since!
Myles (Rainbow's son; he's 11 now) has grown so much: he's even taller than me AND his mamma! He is such a sweet kid, with an easy, laid-back personality. Whip smart, too: his last grade in school (fifth), he scored all A's in all of his classes. We were both so very proud of him!
He looks just like his daddy. He's such a handsome boy!
It is monsoon season here. We get hot, but then every afternoon (or just about), we get terrific thunderstorms with lots of wind, heavy rains (or even hail), and dangerous lightning. It cools us off for about three hours, then it heats up back again. Typical summer weather here in Arizona. We have to take an umbrella with us whenever we go out so we don't get caught in the rain and/or get soaked to the skin.
Hard to believe it's been five years now since my beautiful little girl, Karla Jean, died. She was only sixteen years old. She had diabetes; it wrecked her kidneys. In fact, she was on the national kidney transplant list waiting for a kidney when she died. She never even got the kidneys that she needed so desperately in order to live. I miss her so much; there isn't a day when I don't think of her or even cry over her ...
I wonder what she would have been doing had Karla survived: maybe getting a job, going to college, maybe even going into the Marines. She told me that she would have liked to have gone into the Marines, but her health prevented it. She had plenty of dreams.
She was beautiful. She looked just like me. I loved Karla so much! Still do, but she lives on, in my heart, so she's always with me in a way.
At times I blame myself for my baby girl's death because she got my diabetes. (Actually, she didn't: she had the juvenile form; I have the adult-onset type. I was well into my thirties when I was diagnosed with it. Karla was just three years old when she was diagnosed with hers.)
After Karla was diagnosed with diabetes at age three, Packy left me. Packy was my husband. He couldn't cope with having a sick child, so he up and dumped me for another woman. I never saw him again, although once in a while, he'd send money, but not much else. His leaving truly hurt me; I will never completely get over it.
Packy was Dine', too. Like me. I am Dine' (Navajo).
In a few weeks, Rainbow and I are taking Myles to get his school supplies at the store here on the reservation. They sell 'em cheaper than the regular retail stores. We also have to get him new pants and shirts; he's grown so much! I just hope we get our pay this month; stupid government's thinking of holding our checks 'cause they can't make up their minds about things. GRRR!! I HATE them with a purple passion, especially the president! I'd like to smack him in the face; he makes me so angry!!
Well, I'm gonna go now. Have to get ready for church. I also have to eat my breakfast so I can take my pills and take my shots of insulin. (I take two different kinds: once in the morning, and once, during supper, before I eat. I then take my other meds after I eat.) I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Wyndi Piestala saying so long! May the good spirits bless you!
~Love, your friend in Arizona, Wyndi Storm. :)
