Sari writes to her friend in America after Louisiana answers her latest letter.
Sunday, the 17 of October, 2004~
Dear Louie:
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!
Thank you for taking the time to answer my last letter; now I know why I haven't heard from you. I was starting to get a little worried about you, but I am glad to know that all is well with you all!
My, what a frightening picture that is of that ride! I certainly hope you didn't ride it; I would have probably had a heart attack on it! I saw that, and my stomach just flipped, and bile rose to my throat! I can't imagine anyone riding something that looks like it should belong in a horror picture show! But I AM glad you are having fun at the fair; and I bet by now, the fair is about overwith and done. Are you still at the fair, or are you back home, trying to recuperate from all the excitement of the fair?
I am glad that you had fun at the music shows. I am also glad that your daughter Ronee' did well when she sang with Loretta Lynn! I am also glad that Johnny (for the most part) didn't get sick on any of the rides; but it must have been so hard for him to watch them without getting sick! If I were Johnny, I would have probably lost more than my lunch right along with him! I don't know or understand why people call rides like the one in the picture "Fun"; to me, something that goes completely upside down is NOT fun! Pure torture is more like it! YIKES! LOL
I finally heard from Nikolas; he has been busy at his work, but he will be quitting his job soon. He is going to get the place ready for when I come to Greece after we get married, and we will then make our home in Athens, Greece, during the spring and summer; but in the fall and winter months, we will then go to Finland; that way we can spend the holidays with Mother and my brothers. I think he would like Finland; but it will be hard for him to get used to the cooler temperatures. In Greece it is so hot, especially in the summer; it's no wonder I passed out during the Olympics training sessions, right after I first got to Greece; it was my own stupidity, really. I didn't have any clothes to wear for the warmer weather, only sweaters, and I suffered terribly. I think I may have learned my lesson on that one...LOL NEVER again will I wear heavy sweaters to a place like Greece! YIKES! LOL
Nikolas is well; he says hello to his friends in America (you guys). He misses you all, and he told me to tell you that his family is well, and that his sister, Athena, is about to be released from the rehabilitation hospital. She is still working on learning to walk on crutches, and she is more than determined to overcome her disability. She did have a hard time emotionally at first, but she is finally learning to accept it, and she wants to get back with her life as it was prior to when she was shot. He heard from her the other day, he said, and he was just estatic! I am so happy for him and for Athena, both!
I am glad you have heard from Louisa and from Kendra. That is wonderful that Kendra is adopting another little girl from Japan! And that is good that you heard from Louisa. What was it that happened when you tried to write to her, but your computer was acting up? Was it you, or was it just the computer? I hope your computer is behaving itself and that you haven't had any more problems with it! Computers can be such a headache at times!
Mother is finally well; she is stronger now than she has been in weeks, and it seems that she is back to her old self prior to when she first got sick. But I am still watching out over her; I don't want her overdoing herself and possibly having a relapse. My brothers are well, too, and so are their families. The weather here in Ivalo is coolish, but clear; the auroras are out in full view tonight, and they are spectacular! I see them, and I think of your daughter, Ronee'; she is so in love with the Northern Lights, isn't she? I know your son, Johnny, loves the lights, too, but not as much as Ronee'!
How are your children doing healthwise? I pray that all are well, and I pray that they don't get sick. I know with children such as yours, ones with medical problems, they can get sick in a hurry or when you least expect it, but I hope that they are doing well! If they are sick, I pray that they feel better soon!
Are you going to vote in the election for your President? Who are you voting for? If I were able to vote, I'd vote for Bush; there is just something about John Kerry that makes me uneasy, and I don't think he would be the right man for President. He seems too wishy-washy, and I don't like how he thinks or acts! I pray that the elections go well, and I pray for your nation each and every day. When I had heard that America had been attacked three years ago by terrorists and then saw the devastation on the tv news, I couldn't help but cry. I felt so bad, and I wish I could have been there so I could give any American a hug, to let them know that I cared, even though I AM from Finland!
I hear of the war still going on, and I can't help but cry; I pray for your military men and women, and I pray that all this horror is overwith soon! I can't imagine the horror those families who have lost loved ones in the war must be going through! I also pray for your President and his staff, and I pray that you never have another event like September 11, 2001, ever again! Once was MORE than enough!
Well, dear friend in America, I will let you go now; it is getting late; and I am yawning my head off. I think I had better get to bed before I fall asleep at the computer and wake up with computer marks all over my face! (That happened last time, and for a while, I didn't know what was going on; I had the imprints of the keyboard on my face, and I drooled all over the computer! It was a wonder I didn't short it out! LOL) Until later, or until I next hear from you, give your darling family (((HUGS))) and (((KISSIES))) from me and Nikolas, and give them all my love! God bless you all too!
Nakemiin! (Love how you ended your letter by using Finnish! I will teach you more Finnish words if you would like later, okay??)
~With much love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike. :)
P.S.: I put a picture map of Finland, listing the cities. That way, you can see exactly where Ivalo is and where I live. If you ever come to Finland, you can stay with me. You would be more than welcome!
~Love, Sari.
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Reviewed by P. Michaels
10/18/2004
Nice letter. I liked the part where she fell asleep on the keyboard. That had to be very uncomfortable. LOL
I LOVE THESE LETTERS! so entertaining, learning about all of your characters and getting glimpses into their daily lives...BRAVA! you write with heart and style. WELL DONE!!!!!!
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Sunday, the 17 of October, 2004~
