Louisiana finally gets around to answer her Del Rio, Texas, friend's letter. Diane had written to her, but Louisiana hadn't answered her letter until now. She lets Diane know what has been going on with her as of late.
Monday, the 13th of September, 2004, 5:24 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Diane:
Please forgive me for not answering your letter sooner, but I had a flood of emails come in, and I have been trying like heck to try to get them answered. That in between raising a large family of 50 kids and one husband, working at the hospital, and going to a wedding this past weekend in Louisiana. We are now in Arkansas; we will be home in Tennessee sometime tomorrow, from the way things look at the present time. I also find out that I have company at my house: my friend in Fort Worth, Texas, Phoebe Pearson, is at my house, along with two of her kids, Hanh Ly and her little sister, Linn Chan, who are 14 and 5; they came with their mother, and they will be there until next week, when they fly back home to Texas. But my father, Armand, and my other kids have been busy entertaining the Pearsons, and I am sure that Phoebe and the girls have been having a great time. (In case you are interested, Linn Chan and Hanh Ly are sisters who are originally from Cambodia. They stayed with us as foster kids while Phoebe and her husband were getting the necessary adoption paperwork completed. They stayed with us from November 2003 until this past March of 2004 when they finally were cleared to go to the Pearson family in Texas. They have been with them ever since, and both girls are adjusting beautifully, I am glad to say.)
Linn Chan is physically disabled: she was born without arms or hands, but she is otherwise in perfect health. As for her sister, she has vision problems that require corrective lenses, and she also is painfully shy, but she is slowly opening up, and is blossoming into a lovely young adolescent girl, according to her adoptive mother. I will be so glad to see both Linn Chan and Hanh; I have missed them both terribly since they left for Texas!
Anyway...back to the crux of this letter. I am glad the kids are back in school. Kind of gives you a new appreciation for peace and quiet, doesn't it? My kids are back in school, too: they went back the day after Labor Day, and so far they are all doing well. They have been doing homework, and they are keeping up with their assignments. Hope it lasts! But we went to a wedding, meaning my husband, Bill, and three of my kids (Barbara, Johnny, and Ronee'; they were all in the wedding party, so this was why they went). Our friends from Alaska, Michael Doucet and his wife, Jenna Aurora, got married in Lafayette, Louisiana, at a historical attraction, and the wedding was beautiful. We really had a fine time, and I got to meet Michael's family (he is one of 13 kids, and their mama is still spry and lively at the age of 85; she is such a sweetheart!), and they really took to us. Now the Doucets have left for their honeymoon (they are going to New York City for a few days, and then on to Niagara Falls, Canada), and they should return back home to Alaska in about a few weeks or so.
I met Jenna and Michael when I took care of Jenna last November, when she was seriously injured in a horrible car accident, and she was left permanently disabled. She is partially paralyzed, and she can only use one arm; but she is slowly coming back. She looks great, and she is now walking somewhat (for short distances) on a crutch; but she still prefers to use her wheelchair most of the time. She is also recovering from back surgery (she had a pinched nerve), so that has slowed her down somewhat, too. She is such a sweetie, and her husband is such a teddybear; you would love him!
Ronee' did well at her audition, but I am sorry to say she didn't make the cut to be on "America's Most Talented Kids". She was a little disappointed, but she will try again next year (if the show is still on, that is), and she is more determined to improve her skills as a performer and singer. She is really coming along in her singing, but she hasn't been able to practice her music because she is getting over a broken arm. She has been in a cast for the past month, and she still has about a week and a half to go before the cast is taken off; and then she will probably have to have some physical therapy on her arm, to strengthen it, so she can get back to using her crutches again. She broke her arm when she fell while going outside to play; and it really put a cramp in her summer; but she has handled the crisis beautifully, and she is more than ready to start walking again on her sticks! :)
Johnny, her brother, is doing well, too, especially in school. He is doing so much better in all his subjects, and it is amazing at the change in his grades and attitude; it is almost as theough Johnny is another little boy I don't even know because a few years back, he was having so much difficulty in school, and he was getting C's, D', and F's. Now he is scoring A's and B's, and he is really coming along; and he now enjoys school so much! He got some special after school help thanks to Sylvan, and the change in him has been nothing short of miraculous! Now if only he were doing that well physically: then he would have it made!
Speaking of physical health, I have some bad news to share. My little (and only!) granddaughter, Jamee Nichelle (she is six-and-a-half), has just been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, and we are all reeling with the shock of the news. It was something we did not expect, and we are trying to cope with the realization of this. But we will get through it with God's help, and I really feel for my daughter, Lightning, who is her mother. (They live in Colorado: Lightning, her husband, Darnell, and the kids [Daniel, Tyreese, Tyrell, Jamee, and LeAndre']. They live near Fort Collins, in Loveland.) Jamee may eventually need a wheelchair in time, that and leg braces, but we hope that this doesn't happen for a very long time. Please keep them all in your prayers, and keep us in your prayers, too. Thanks!
How has the weather been down there in Texas? Here, it has been pretty warm; but not too terribly so; and soon the cooler weather will start. I am glad; I have always enjoyed fall time, and I love the color of the leaves and the chilly nights, perfect sleeping weather. I also love the football games, and the excitement of being among cheering fans and rooting for the home team! (We are going to a football game in a few weeks: we are going to see our beloved Tennessee Titans play the Dallas Cowboys, and as much as I like the cowboys, I still hope the Titans play "whup-ass" over them and give them what for! LOL I am a Tennessee Titan fan all the way, and my husband and kids are, too! [MOST of them are anyway: my daughter, Ronee', the little traitor, has admitted that she is more of a Dallas Cowboy fan! LOL]) Should be a great game! We are really looking forward to the football game! Professional football is always so exciting!!
Well, Diane, I will go for now; Bill wants me to take over the wheel, so he can take a nap. He has been driving ever since we left the motel this morning, and he is sick and tired of driving. So I will take over the wheel. I will write when I get back home. As I said earlier, we will be home sometime tomorrow afternoon, and when we get in and relax for a while, I will write to you then. So be expecting a letter from me sometime tomorrow evening or the next day. Until then, take care, and God bless you all always!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your Tennessee friend, Louie May Sandusky. :)
Ronee must have a great voice!;-) Another superb story Karen!
You have a very imaginative mind, and it has become well
seasoned in the art of writing! Brava!
Great Story as always, Karen!
Thanks for your note.
I do not always reply, but I
thank everyone and think of
you guys often!(Ad members and you!)
Super job!
Becca
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
Monday, the 13th of September, 2004, 5:24 p.m., C.S.T.~
