Louisiana's Inuk friend in Alaska, Sikik Eegeesiak, writes her friend a letter. (Sikik hasn't written Louisiana because Sikik's mother is in the hospital, fighting off a bout of pneumonia. She is in the ICU and is on a ventilator.)
Monday, the 13th of September, 2004, 9:22 a.m., Alaska time~
Dear Louisiana:
I am sorry for not writing sooner, but Mother is in the hospital. She has pneumonia, and is currently on a ventilator in the ICU ward. She is doing a little better; but she gave us all a scare. She is still not out of the woods; she nearly died a few days ago when she had a breathing crisis. This is why they put her on a ventilator; and so far, she seems to be doing better than she was! Talk about a close call! Please keep Mother in your prayers; and keep us Eegeesiaks in your prayers, too, as a matter of fact!
We have been at the hospital the last few days, ever since Mother first went in; and we are afraid to leave her side, in case she "codes" again, as you nurses would say. She looks bad, but her color is slowly returning. It is hard to see her lying in the bed, hooked up to a breathing machine and wires and stuff, and they have her knocked out and restrained, so she doesn't pull out the tubes. So far she has been behaving herself, but we are still worried! I now know how you must feel when one of your own kids ends up in the hospital, hooked up to tubes! Not a fun place to be, is it??
Father has been beside himself: he hasn't slept or eaten much, and he is starting to lose weight. We are worried about him; he is so tired, and he looks like he hasn't slept in a week. I hope he doesn't get sick; we don't need TWO people in the hospital! Pray for him, too, okay? Thanks!
Glad that Ronee' made it through her audition. Did you hear anything yet? I bet she would make it; she seems to be quite a talent! I listened to the CD you sent, and I was quite imporessed. She may be only a kid, but she has a huge future in music ahead of her! Such a beautiful voice for a little girl! WOW!
How did your son, Johnny, make out at the MDA telethon? I bet he had fun visiting his friends again, and I am sure he was the hit of the show! He is such a cute little guy! Looks like a younger version of Mattie Stepanek, the kid who recently died; they look so much alike it is startling! In fact, when I first saw that picture you put of Jerry Lewis and Mattie Stepanek, I thought at first it was Johnny, and it scared me for a minute because I didn't know that Johnny was on a ventilator! But then I remembered that you told me that he was only on nasal oxygen, so I knew it wasn't Johnny, and I was so relieved! LOL Please tell Johnny that I say hello, and tell him that if he wants, I will send him some new mittens lined with caribou, to keep his little hands warm in the winter; and tell him that I will send him a parka if he wants! He seems to have no meat on his scrawny little body; he is the skinniest little kid I have ever seen in my life! LOl
How was the wedding that you went to? Where was it, and who was it that got married? I hope that whoever it was, that they have a very long and happy life together! Weddings are such wonderful affairs, aren't they? I have been to quite a few myself, what with my large family! LOL If the wedding was not held in Tennessee, I hope you had a safe trip to and from the event! Are you home yet? Let me know if you are!
The weather here in Barrow is partly cloudy and cool, temps in the 40's now; and 20's at night. Starting to get cold around these parts; and auroras have been out in full force. They haven't reached their peak yet, but they are pretty to watch, and I love to talk to my ancestors and visit them! I always feel so happy when I see the Lights; I feel like I am visiting family, and I always feel so peaceful and happy inside! If you want, I will send you some pics of the Lights that I took last week!
How is the weather down there in the Lower 48, and how is it down your way? Hopefully it isn't too bad; I hate it when it rains! It always makes me feel so unhappy; I am a sunshiney, blue-sky kind of girl; and I also love the biting cold and the snow! (Being an Inuk, I would HAVE to! LOL Kind of hard not to when all I see most of the year IS snow! LOL I can't handle your warmth; and I am afraid that I would melt if I ever came down to Tennessee! I don't think my Inuk blood could take the heat! I'd be an Eskimo pie! LOL)
Well, friend Louisiana, I wanted to get home so I could change and check my email (saw your letter, so I decided to answer it) before we go back to the hospital to be with Mother. I will write more later; I will keep you informed regarding Mother and her being in the hospital. Until I hear from you, or you hear from me, you take care of that beautiful Northern Lights Family of yours, and tell them all that Sikik sends them her love! Tell them all hello from me! And you take care of yourself, too, y'hear?
Love you bunches!
~Love from the Great White North of Alaska, your Inuk friend, Sikik Grace. :)
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Monday, the 13th of September, 2004, 9:22 a.m., Alaska time~
