A woman living in Kentucky writes to Louisiana and tells her about her family. She is interested in adoption, but she isn't sure as to how to go about it, so this is why she writes to Louisiana.
Weds., April 27, 2005, 5:12 p.m., E.S.T.~
Dear Louisiana Sandusky~
Hello! You don't know me, but I decided to write to you after I read your book, "A Family Made Out of Miracles and Rainbows: The Sandusky Family Story--A True Story of Love And International Adoption". I hope you don't mind.
My name is Jenna Fiona Meadows, and I live in Louisville, Kentucky, with my husband, Charles, and our kids, Travis Tritt, who is nine, and the girls, Reba Nell, six, and the baby, Loretta Lynn, who is three. We are thinking of adding to the family; but we don't know how to really go about persuing adoption. We would very much love to adopt a child, but there are so many in need of homes, and the whole process seems to be quite intimidating. That is why I am writing to you because you HAVE the experience, and you know what adoption is all about. We would like to adopt a second boy from possibly Vietnam or China, or another girl from Russia or South America, or even Mexico, but we just don't really have all that much in the way of money. Adoption seems to be very expensive, and we are scared to try because we are afraid that our request would be denied, or that we would get a child, and right before we were to get him (or her), the adoption would fall through; and I don't know if I am emotionally able to handle that kind of heartbreak.
Anyway, I am also writing to tell you that I read your inspiring story, and I was quite moved. I can't imagine you being the parents to FIFTY-TWO children! HOW in the world do you find TIME to do anything, and HOW do you manage to keep ALL of them in line? How do you manage to work as a nurse AND be a mother? And HOW do you manage to find time to write?? I read in your bio on the back of the book that you were in the process of working on two more books, and I was wondering if you got them completed by now. (I saw this book was done last year.)
I also wanted to ask you why did you adopt children with special needs when there are so many healthy children in need of a family? I don't think I could handle a child with serious medical problems or a child who is mentally disabled; it would scare the living hell out of me if something were to happen to Loretta, Reba, or Travis! I have more than enough trouble trying to keep tabs on three active children, especially Travis, who is a ball of fire. He is hardly ever still, and he is always getting into some type of mischief! I do think your children are beautiful, but I was shocked to see so many of them being disabled; yet you seem not to mind it one bit, and you still love them as theough they had been BORN to you! You are an angel, and the world needs more people like yourself!
Well, Louisiana, I hope you answer me. I would really love to hear from you. I am just entering the world of adoption, and there is so much to learn. I hope you can help me by answering any questions that I may have, and I hope that God blesses you and your family mightily! Thank you for listening to me.
Most sincerely yours, Jenna Fiona in Lexington, Kentucky (mom to Loretta, Reba, and Travis).
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
Weds., April 27, 2005, 5:12 p.m., E.S.T.~
