Sari Gustaffssenn, from Finland, wanted to let her friends know how she is faring.
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!
This is Sari, your friend from Ivalo, Finland, writing. I just wanted to let you know what has been happening in my life since I last wrote last month.
Summer has come full force to my country: the days are long, the nights are short, and the countryside is dotted with green and flowers as far as the eye can see. The weather has been pleasant, and I have been trying to enjoy it, but this fibromyalgia of mine has been testing me, and there are days where I am so tired, so stiff, and so sore, it is all I can do to try to peel myself out of bed without wanting to fall over from the pain. It feels as if an elk has been walking on my body, over and over, and sometimes it is all I can do to keep from screaming!
I do have my good days, though; these are the days where I try to spend my time outdoors. If it isn't tending to the reindeer, or doing the yardwork, I am busy trying to soak up some of the Finnish sunshine, and trying to exercise my muscles by walking or jogging.
But on my bad days, I stay inside, where I either tend to Mother or feel sorry for myself again. This fibromyalgia is tough on an active lady like myself, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! It's really painful!
Dr. Kohelmainen, my doctor, says that I am doing quite well, but I don't think so, especially when I am in pain! He has given me anti-inflammatory drugs, and he has told me to rest when my pain acts up; and it seems that is all I HAVE Been doing!
My brothers are all faring well; they come over every week to check on me and on Mother, and it is always good to see them. They bring me extra food, so to make sure we always have enough, and they worry about me. They act like I am dying or something; they are always wanting to take care of me or do everything for me when I am perfectly capable of doing things for myself!
I finally heard from Louisiana, my friend in America, and she is doing well. She is working on another book (about nursing), and she says that her first book, the one about her large adopted family, is selling quite well in the local bookstores. She says that her family has been well, and the kids are all looking forward to school starting. Johnny and Ronee' are also going to go camping, and they are looking forward to that. She says there have been no crises other than their house getting damaged by a storm back in June, and also Ronee' getting stung by a bee and ending up in hospital for a few days, but now she is fine, and the house has been fixed, thank goodness! She wrote me a very long letter; and I still have yet to answer it.
I got a new cat, a Maine Coon named "Nemo". She is orange and white, and she is very friendly, furry, and purry. She purrs practically nonstop, and she cheers me up whenever I am feeling sorry for myself. For such a little thing, she purrs LOUD, like a lion, and her little body vibrates from the force of her purrs! She is adorable, and she never ceases to bring a smile to my face with her crazy antics! (I got the cat from my friend, Ilsa Rekkonen. Ilsa works at the university where I go to school. Speaking of university, I start back in the fall, next month I have to register and make sure that things are in order before I start back to school. I will continue to persue my degree in Journalism; seems that I want to become a writer of children's books!)
I am looking very much forward to fall because fall signals the start of aurora borealis season. I miss the Lights so much; seems when the Lights are in full force I am much happier. To see their dancing, wavy patterns going across our skies brings a sense of peace and comfort to me. Now I will have "Nemo" to share the Lights with; I do think she will like them as much as I do.
Thank you for allowing me to write. I have missed you all, and I just wanted to let you know what is up with me. As you can see, I have a very exciting life...NOT! LOL At least I am still alive and still kickin' (but barely at times, especially when my fibromyalgia is acting up)! Will write again soon. Until then, Nakemiin!
~Love from Finland, your friend, Sari Annike Gustaffsenn. :)
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Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!
