Louisiana, just back from the airport after dropping off her friend from Finland, Sari Gustaffssenn, is surprised to see yet another letter to be answered in her email account. It is from one of her friends in California, Kendra May Williams, who lives in Soulsbysville.
As she goes looking at her friend's letter, she finds out that Kendra and her family are coming to Nashville for Christmas, to spend the holidays with the Sanduskys.
Friday, September 24, 2004, 3:07 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Kendra:
Thank you for your email, and thank you for the prayers for Johnny! I am sure he will appreciate to know that many people are lifting him up in prayer; maybe that is one reason he has been doing so well! (The doctor seems to think that the current antiseizure medicine he is on is wearing off; that is why he had a seizure. So we will have to look for something that is stronger. Or maybe it was from the stress due to all the extra company; it could be several factors; but the medicine wearing off is what the doctor seems to think.) Johnny is still asleep; Bill said he woke up once (because he had to pee), but he has since returned to dreamland, and he is sound asleep again. I just checked on him, and he is out like a light. At least he is breathing (albeit with the oxygen), and at least his color looks good, so I don't have to worry!
I just got back from dropping off Sari Gustaffssenn at the airport terminal, and I could hardly see on the way home because of all the tears I shed. I already miss Sari; she is such a wonderful gal! I love her high, musical laugh, and I love her cheerful ways! She really had a good time at our place; but she was worried when Nikolas didn't show up in the storm; but then here he came, dripping wet, and you never saw such relief on a person in your life! She held onto him and would NOT let go! She really went out of her way to get us stuff at the Olympics which were held recently in Greece; in fact, that is where she and Nikolas Constantinos met! They worked there, and they immediately hit it off! (They have since become engaged; they are getting married sometime in the spring; and get this--she invited Bill and I to the wedding! In GREECE! So it looks like we may get to see Athens for ourselves!)
Ronee' will be tickled pink to hear that Anna Grace really wants to see her again! Maybe she will write her a letter one of these days, as soon as her arm gets to feeling stronger again! I am glad that Anna Grace thinks so highly of Ronee'; well, I am sure that Ronee' thinks the samw of your Anna! She is such a delightful child, and SMART! WOW! She seems to be intellectually gifted; you ought to have her tested! Maybe you could get her into a Gifted/Talented program! It's worth a shot!
Maybe we can come to California in the fall of next year. Would you like that? That way, we could see you again, and we can meet your new daughter to be from Japan, and we can also meet the Masons. (Thank you for telling me Louisa May's last name!) I bet the kids would have a ball playing with your kids, and I bet they would love to meet the Masons too! Let us know if you would like us to visit you in California; because in the meantime, we would LOVE to come see you guys! (But all depends on the kids' health, and it also depends on finances.)
That is sad that your community is having problems accepting your family. The same thing has happened here; but through many meetings with our pastor, family lawyer, mayor, governor, etc., prayers, and whatnot, the differences people have felt towards us have seemed to been erased, and now they realize that we are just like any family, only a lot bigger, and that the kids aren't being abused, neglected, or worse! We care for our kids too much to even THINK of abusing them or neglecting them, and we make sure that we MAKE time for each and every kid! Each kid is a vital member of our family, and if some people can't get past their disabilities or their problems, then THEY are the ones with the problem, NOT my kids! It really angers me whenever people think we are using the kids as a way of exploiting them, and unless they know what it is like to raise kids like ours, then they should stay the heck out of our business! I am sorry for getting riled up like this, but some people are such jerks, and they are so insensitive, and they don't need to be prying into our lives and making life miserable for me, my husband, OR our children!
I pray that the differences that you are facing are resolved soon; but it just goes to show you that there are people who are bent on nothing but hurting you or your family, and I am sorry, but you need to ignore their stares or comments! Or, if you are especially bothered by a nasty comment, please don't be hasty in reacting; just walk away (okay, WHEEL away!) and ignore those goofballs! Or just email me; I will listen! And you know I will support you and your family! These inconsiderate people who think it is fun to hurt our feelings just aren't worth the trouble to deal with; they are uncouth, and we have no business in dealing with nosy or insensitive people! We have faced a lot of injustice on our own end because of our family (some people have even gone as far as trying to have our kids taken away from us!), but we quickly took action and put them into their place, and now they know not to bother us anymore! That is one of the reasons why I wrote the book I did last year, and I wanted to set the record straight about our family!
I just was rereading your letter, and you stated that you were thinking of coming over for the holidays. WOWEE! We would LOVE it! But again, we will have a housefull, as Lightning, Darnell, and their kids (Jamee, Daniel, LeAndre', Tyreese, and Tyrell), Dwerlina and her boyfriend Andre', Melizza, and Dianne are coming home! So it looks like you guys will have to stay at the motel up the street! I am sorry, but we won't have the room to accomodate y'all, not with ALL the Sanduskys (PLUS five Sandusky grandkids!) coming home! But you still can come to our house; we'll MAKE room for y'all for our Christmas celebration! Oh, this is exciting; I am going to have to take that entire MONTH off, so we can get ready and make plans! Ronee', Johnny, and the others will be THRILLED to know that y'all are coming for Christmas!! (We can also celebrate Johnny and Ronee' 's 12th birthdays!) I will have to make arrangements at work to take some extended time off; after all, I already have vacation time (PAID vacation, mind you!) coming during the Christmas holidays! Why not make it a regular Christmas BLOWOUT??~
You could also come to Christ Community Assembly of God, and meet our pastoral team, and meet my friends (family) from church! We would LOVE to have y'all, and we would most certainly make y'all feel like you are home! Oh, just wait until I tell the church; they'll have a PRAISE and WORSHIP celebration and a HALF! They have been wanting to meet you all; and they have heard so much about you and your family! They feel like they already know y'all! :D
And we can show you around Nashville: take you to the Grand Ole Opry, take you to the Country Music Hall of Fame (or, as my one daughter used to call it, "The Country Music Hall of SHAME!" LOL), and Music Row, and we can even take you to the Wild Horse Saloon and cut up a rug, country style! LOL (They let kids in there before nine.) We can also take you around and show you where I work, and where Bill works, and meet our friends the Reichards, M'Buti, Roberto, Jubaki, Eshe', and Kibarake Sormiento (and see their HUMMER! LOL), my neighbors, and also friends we have made from our trips to the Golden Corral (and yes, we can even treat ya out there...ON us!)! You would LOVE Nashville, and Nashville would LOVE having you (AGAIN!)!
Well, dear Kendra, thank you for the great news you have shared, and thank you above all for the prayers for Johnny! Johnny will be happy, and we are happy that you and your family think so highly of him! He certainly is a special little Miracle in my life; and I am so blessed to have him!
I will write later; seems I have to answer my friend in Idaho, Erin McCabe; she emailed me, and I haven't answered her email yet! Also have to email Jenna; she is probably wondering what is going on with me or if I am even ALIVE! LOL (Haven't written to Jenna in a while....)
Until I hear from you again, dear Kendra, take care, and give Linda, Mary, Francie, Anna Grace, Wendy, Keisha, Sarah, Sally, Kim, Kelly, Mariah, and Wendy ((((BIG SANDUSKY HUGS))) from us here in Tennessee! God bless each and every one of you!
~With much love,
As always,
In His Service, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana Mayrah. :D :D (Because you are coming for CHRISTMAS!)
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Reviewed by Susan Barton
9/25/2004
it helps me remember the details when you explain them to new pen pals
It amazes me how you keep all your plots and sub-plots going and all the various names! Just incredible Karen, how you do it time after time! I applaud your acumen!;-) Superb writing!
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
Friday, September 24, 2004, 3:07 p.m., C.S.T.~
