Louisiana emails her friend in Mesa, Arizona, Greta Wagner, mother of three very active preschoolers, after Greta has written a letter to her.
Thursday, June 30, 2005, 10:16 a.m., C.D.T.~
Dear Greta~
Hey! Thanks so much for writing; it is so good to hear from you again, and I loved the picture of the little cartoon baby on your letter! That was so adorable! LOL I am glad you are well; we are well, and life couldn't be any better than it is right now!
I had my surgery earlier this year, and I am glad to say that I am healing very well...I haven't been in any pain since, and it has been nothing short of a MIRACLE! It's as though I have been healed, and I can now walk WITHOUT a cane, WITHOUT crutches, AND I can lift my kids again!! (Of course, with the heavier kids, I still take precautions, and I still do wear a back brace for support when I am at work, and that helps wonders too, but I no longer have the crippling, blinding pain, nor do I have the pain in my legs like I used to, and it has been WONDERFUL! :) I am even going dancing again, and I have enjoyed it emmensely! :) )
The kids from Sri Lanka (Arjun Ravi and Rani Kalpana) have since settled into the family, and they are now acting like typically "American" kids. They both love the American flag, they love things like hot dogs, hamburgers, and French fries, and they are picking up new English words at a very rapid pace. It is incredible at how well they have adjusted into the family, and their health has blossomed too. Now, little Arjun has really never had any problems with his health, but Rani has: she suffered a bad head injury, and she still has some affects from it; but she is improving steadily, and she is almost ready to graduate from a walker to forearm crutches! You can hardly keep up with her, and she is such a delightful child; it is amazing to see the change in her from the time when I first saw her in Sri Lanka! :) Now we are getting ready to adopt ANOTHER child, another little girl (aged eight) from Romania, and she will be arriving within the next several months! Her name is Janica Kryzstina, but we will probably call her Willow Krzystina when she comes, or we may keep her name "as is". We don't know yet. But we are excited about her coming, and she is so pretty! She has short, dark hair, green eyes, and freckles on her nose and cheeks, and she is so cute! She has spina bifida and walks with braces on her legs and forearm crutches; but she does use a wheelchair for longer trips. But other than that, she is healthy, according to her medical reports from the adoption agency!
I have heard from Chuck and Penny Tuttle, but I have yet to write to them. I get so many emails now it is CRAZY, and if I am not working, raising my village LOL, or taking care of my elderly father or my hubby, I am writing emails! LOL If I don't answer right away, it's NOT because I am mad; it's because I am just so. darned. BUSY!! LOL I am glad that the Tuttles are thinking of adopting a child! Now, I realize that adoption ISN'T for EVREYONE, but those who DO adopt are indeed a special group, and I have had nothing but praise and thanks to God for the Miracle Children that He has brought into the lives of Bill and myself! Sure, there HAVE been failed adoptions in the past, but more often than not, most have been successful, and the kids we DO have now have flourished beautifully and are growing into lovely young men and women!
It sounds like Nichole, Nicholas, and Peter are doing well; I am happy to hear that! My kids certainly are, but I have a daughter (Ronee') who is currently recovering from hip replacement surgery. She has JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; she has the systemic, or severe, kind), and she has had a lot of problems, but she is now on the mend, and for now, she is on a walker, and it will be at least several more weeks before she is back to using her crutches. I also have a son, Johnathon ("Johnny") who had medical tests, to see how his muscular dystrophy was faring, and miracle of miracles, his muscular dystrophy has NOT gotten worse! He has stayed relatively stable, and he continues to astound the doctors (and US!!)! He isn't getting any worse, but he isn't getting any better, but as long as his muscular dystrophy stays "stable", then we are very happy! :) For a while, things were suspenseful for both Johnny and Ronee' (AND us), but now that the tests and surgery are behind us, now we can look forward to getting ready for the Fourth of July, which is on Monday!
Speaking of the Fourth of July, what are YOUR holiday plans? We are going to visit the veterans tonight when I get off work, and we are also going to get ready for the Fourth of July celebration here in downtown Nashville, where we will listen to some wonderful patriotic music, watch the parade, and of course, have a picnic, and enjoy the *~*FIREWORKS*~*! :) The weather is supposed to be clear and sunny, with temps in the 80's, very pretty holiday weather! So we don't have to worry about any storms ruining our holiday plans or canceling the fireworks! :) I hope and pray that you have a very happy and SAFE Fourth of July!
Well, I am on break now, and it is time for me to get some lunch, or I shall miss out. I will write more again soon. Take care, Greta, and thanks again for writing! Sorry about the delay, but now you know why I haven't written. I do hope you understand! God bless you and your family always, and have a wonderful Fourth!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your Tennessee friend, Louie May Sandusky. :)
This exceptional book, Celebrating the Gift of Being Alive, has the perfect thoughts and words for birthdays, graduations, engagements, marriages, and any life celebration or family tradition.
Thursday, June 30, 2005, 10:16 a.m., C.D.T.~
