Betty Jo Ciagalore, a single mother with two toddler sons from Florida, writes her newest friend after Louisiana wrote her a very chatty letter.
Saturday, February 12, 2005 (12:07 p.m.)~
South Miami, Florida~
Dear Louisiana Mayrah~
Thank you so much for your beautiful, heartfelt letter; it was so nice for you to take the time and write to me. I appreciate it, and I must say that those children on your letter were really beautiful! Are those three of your children? If so, you must have an awful lot of love in your heart to raise such kids; I don't think I could raise children with such significant special health needs!
In lieu of your questions regarding my sons Erick and Evan, no, they aren't disabled; but they were abandoned by their birth mothers when they were born, so they were placed for adoption soon after birth. I happened to see them featured on a local newscast and I couldn't help but want to adopt them, so there you go. I now have two little baby boys, and they are quite the active pair! I am quickly learning what being a parent is all about; but at times I wish my good for nothing husband would still be here, helping me; being a single parent is NOT easy AT all!
I feel as though I already know you, what from the description you gave to me. Are you sure you aren't from Florida? I ask this because there is a lady who lives up the way from me, and she and her husband have a whole slew of children too; a lot of them are disabled, and I was wondering if that was you; but I guess not because I am in Florida, and you live in Tennessee...I guess you have a twin sister you don't know about! LOL You seem like a very friendly sort, and I am glad you took time to write to me. I am stuck either at home with the boys or with Mother, and Mother can be quite demanding. I am at her house now, and I wish she'd stop her coughing; I am scared that I will find he collapsed on the livingroom floor, and I don't want her to die on me! I guess that is why I am kind of leery about adopting kids with special medical or health needs because I am scared that something will happen to them, and I will somehow be held responsible for their death, so...
Your kids sound like wonderful kids! But how old are they, and what are their names? I do know about Johnathon and Ronee' (what a pretty name that is! Ronee'. Hmmm. Are you sure you meant RENEE'? I have never heard that name of Ronee'; still, I bet she is as pretty as her name!), but what are the names of your other kids? Where are they from, in terms of countries? And do you mind my asking what their disabilities are? I still say you are an amazing woman, to take in so many broken kids with so many heartwrenching disabilities! I couldn't do what you do; I guess you have a bigger heart than I will EVER have!
I guess I am a scared parent; that is why I keep bugging you about questions pertaining to parenting! But what do you do with two little guys who won't go to bed, and every night seems to be a never-ending struggle? I am so tired from dealing with them by the time I go to bed, and it seems that they are up with the sun just as soon as it turns light; and then I have to care for Mother before I leave the boys and go job hunting...*Sighhhh* My life seems to be on constant motion; I hardly have time to catch a breath or get some nourishment in my body, let alone, use the restroom! SHEESH! I must be related to the Energizer Bunny or something because it seems that I am ALWAYS on the go!! And what do you do to make sure that your kids are getting a balanced meal? My guys like only mac and cheese or hot dogs, and it doesn't matter if it is for breakfast, lunch, OR supper: it seems all they ever eat are hot dogs or mac and cheese, and I am afraid that they are going to get fat! How do I get them to eat their veggies or fruit? I am tired of the daily battles at mealtime, and I am near tears with frustration!
Thank you for listening to me whine; I hope you don't think I am a nervous mother or anything, but this is a new concept for me. Three months ago, I had no kids, and I was married; now I am alone, and I have two baby sons to raise! I hope you understand my fears; because right now I am scared to DEATH!
Have a nice day, Louie, and thanks for listening to me.
Most sincerely, your new Florida friend, Betty Jo ("B.J.") Ciagalore. :)
Still another fine character added to all of the others! You are a master story teller Karen with all of your characters I can't imagine how you keep them all separated.;-) A great mind! Hope your back is better, you are still in my prayers! Thanks for yours;-) I'm doing much better.
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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.
Saturday, February 12, 2005 (12:07 p.m.)~
