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Dear Sikik: A Letter From Your Friend, Louie Sandusky In Tennessee by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
Louisiana responds to yet another email that she has gotten, this time from her other friend in Alaska, Sikik in far off Barrow.
Tuesday, the 8th of February, 2005, 11:10 a.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Sikik~
Hello there! I was so happy to hear from you! You are so right: it HAS been a while since I last wrote to you; and I am sorry if I haven't responded sooner; but I have been unbelievably busy. But now that my hours have been cut back (thanks, in part, to my worsening health, of which I will have taken care of in a few weeks), I can spend more time trying to answer unanswered emails when I am not too busy, or not trying to take care of an army of children (plus one husband), or doing some much-needed housework. My life is as busy as a bee trying to gather honey before fall sets in or a squirrel trying to gather as much nuts as possible before the winter time comes! LOL Thank you for writing; it is so nice to hear from you, and I loved the picture of the blanket toss you put on your letter; that looks like that might be fun!
I am feeling pretty good, as long as I don't move wrong, or as long as I don't set off my sciatica again. I am just glad that the MRI is overwith and complete, and even though I am still a little scared about the approaching surgery, I am confident enough that I will make it through, and I know God will help me through this and then the recovery period. Thank you for your prayers, they are very much appreciated!
I am sorry you are having such a hard time emotionally, but that is understandable. You were obviously very close to your mother, and you obviously took great care of her. I know it is hard to be a caretaker when you have brothers and sisters who could help out more; but God will bless you for this. He knows how hard you had it, and He knows that your efforts weren't in vain. He understands the struggle you had with her health, and now that she is Home in Glory, she will be watching out over you. She is there with you, right inside your heart, and nothing--or nobody--can ever take those memories away...EVER. I know it is hard now, but it does get easier as time goes on; just let time take its course, and if it gets to be too much, go out and do something, or just remember the good times you had with your mother. I did this very thing when I lost my own mother, my oldest sister and her family, and even my three biological children, and even though I still get sad and cry at times, I know that they are still with me, inside my heart, and I know that they are with Jesus; and that comforts me. Just thank God you had her as long as you did, and thank God you were there for her in her time of need!
I am sure that Johnny would love to come to Alaska to spend some time with you, but honestly, Sikik, his health isn't that good. I don't know if he would be able to withstand the extremely cold temperatures. He has a lot of respiratory problems and he is on oxygen; and he also has a seizure disorder because of brain damage he had as a little baby. He was sick with meningitis, and it damaged his brain, not to mention, his hearing and sight. He also has a chronic, progressive neuromuscular disorder (Duchenne's muscular dystrophy), and it isn't easy taking care of him. He has to be carried to the restroom so he can go potty, and he can't brush his hair or teeth without help. He also has to be dressed, and he can feed himself, but it takes him a while. I don't think he would like whale or walrus meat; he is a very picky eater, and somehow, that doesn't sound too appetizing. I hate to discourage your plans in wanting to invite him (I appreciate the offer, I really do), but Johnny is a very sick little boy, and I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to him there; it is such a long distance away, and I would be sick with constant worry. I also don't know if you could handle a child like Johnny. His disease, for the moment, is at a standstill--he hasn't gotten any worse; yet he hasn't gotten any better--, but one never knows when the shoe will drop, and he can get so sick in a hurry, when one least expects it. I hope you understand why I am telling you this, but Johnny isn't a very easy little boy to take care of, especially if one isn't familiar with his special health needs.
I would probably feel better about sending Ronee' to see you, but then again, maybe not...she can't walk without forearm crutches or leg braces, and I think the cold temps would be detrimental to her arthritic joints. Also, I would be worrying about her falling constantly on the ice and snow, and pushing her wheelchair would be difficult at best across the snowy and icy terrain. I am sure she would love to see you, and she HAS tried whale and walrus (last year; we went to a Inuit festival in Anchorage, and Ronee' was brave enough to try some walrus and whale meat); she would even have her parka, mukluks, and gloves, but I would be reserved in deciding to send her because of the possibility of her falling on the ice and snow. It isn't easy to try to negotiate snow or ice while on crutches or using a wheelchair!
I would probably feel better sending one of my more able-bodied children (Michael, Barbara, Gisele, or Danita), but you wanted to see Johnny; and I just wanted to set the facts straight regarding his health situation. I hope you aren't too disappointed, but I don't think it would be a good idea to send Johnny so far away when he has so many health concerns.
It sounds really miserable up there, with those extremly cold temperatures. BRRR!! I think my blood turned to ice when I read your letter! LOL Nooo, I thinks I will pass on going THAT far north in Alaska; too cold for this little Cajun Mama! LOL But I AM glad that you got to see the auroras; they are really neat to watch!
Well, dear, I hate to run, but I have to get back to work, or else my bosses will fire me if they catch me typing a letter instead of doing my patient reports. I don't relish the thought of getting fired, so I will write to you more later. Until later on, Sikik, you try to hang in there, and know that if you want to call me, you can do so tonight; I will be home. I am open to talk to you; and I would love to hear your voice again! Know I am available, and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time in your life!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana Mayrah. :)
How will she find out if Sikik can't take care of Johnny unless she tries? Remember, Sikik was taking care of her sick parents, and lost her Mom recently--if Johnny is dying, before he dies, don't you think he'd like to have some time away from being overprotected? Just a thought...
An excellent write, though...I really love how you've grown as a writer! :) Well done!
A great write, remember the instuctors mother I asked you to pray for, her Mother died Friday, so please keep Kathy in your prayers as always God Bless
Michelle!
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Tuesday, the 8th of February, 2005, 11:10 a.m., C.S.T.~
