Sari Constantinos from Finland answers her American friend's last email, which was written around the latter part of October; she is glad to have heard from her at last, and that her friend is doing well.
Weds., November 16, 2005, Ivalo, Finland~
Dear Louisiana~
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!
As you can surmise from the opening, you can probably figure out that it's me, Sari Annike Constantinos, from Finland, writing. Well, you are correct. It IS me, Sari!
I am doing okay; I have my bad days and my good days, but I am starting to learn to cope with the scope of my illness. Nikky has been nothing but a big help to me on my bad days, and I also have my wheelchair and my Lofstrands to help me, too. But I am still not used to living like this, and I need your prayers still!
Nikky is well, but I worry about what would happen to me lest he should get sick. He is nothing but an angel, and I am so lucky that God brought us together! I heard from my friend, Ilsa Rekkonen, and she says she may come and see me for the holidays. I hope so; I really could use some needed company! I also heard from my friend in America, and he may come too. So we may have a full house come Christmas time! I love this time of year; I love the snow, and I love the cold, but alas, 'tis a sad day for Sari because this year she won't be able to ski or do any other wintery type fun, and that is going to be so hard!
How is your beautiful International Family? Tell them all that I say hello and send them all my love! I sure love your kids, they are the best kids I have ever met, and they are so well behaved, so unlike a lot of kids today! I am glad I am not a parent; I wouldn't want to be a parent in this day and age! Kids today have no respect, and they are rude, and they have no manners! I would get slapped for some of the things that kids do nowadays, and when I was growing up, Father and Mother did NOT waste any time in disciplining any of us children! They were quick of hand, and when they said something, we'd BEST listen, or else we were done for!! I still remember the stings of the slaps across the mouth that they gave us when we talked back to them, even all these years later! I am hoping that one day Nikky and I will be able to have a child; if not, we may consider adoption, such as you have done. You have been nothing but an inspiration to us, and we would love to give a child who is hurting or a child who is in desperate need of a home--or a family--a sporting chance at life! We may even adopt a child with special needs; we feel we could raise a child in that situation, and it would help me, too, to help me cope with my OWN special needs. And it would help Nikky too; he still isn't that comfortable being around people who are disabled, and he still has nightmares about his sister, Athena, being shot last year. Athena is doing well, but she is still paralyzed, and she will always be so; and it is hard on Nikky to see her being in a wheelchair all of the time. He still remembers how she could get around; now she gets around by wheelchair, and it still tears him up inside when he thinks about what happened to her.
How are YOU doing, Louie? And how is Bill? Your father and mother? I hope that they are doing well, too. I know it is hard when you have elderly parents to take care of, but your father and mother-in-law are so sweet, I just love them! I miss MY own mother and father; this will be the first Christmas without them, and it causes tears to prick at my eyes to think of them. I wish they were still here; I miss them both so much! I also miss my brothers when they don't come to see me. I think they must be ashamed to see me because I am now using a wheelchair or crutches, and it is still hard for them to accept what has happened to me. Keep them in your prayers; pray that God opens their hearts and eyes, and let them know that even with the crutches and/or wheelchair, I am stilt the same old Sari!
I heard that you had tornadoes over there in Tennessee; I heard the news yeterday, and ever since I have been sick with worry. This is one reason why I wrote because I am hoping that you are okay and that your property hasn't been destroyed by the destructive winds! Tornadoes are terrible things, and I wouldn't want to be in one...EVER. I don't know how you guys can live in a place that has tornadoes; I would be a nervous wreck if I did!! LOL They said that hundreds of people were hurt, and that several had bee killed, and I have been nothing but a bundle of nerves!! Please let me know you are okay, so my belly can stop shaking and so I can stop feeling so nauseated!! I haven't eaten anything since yesterday, I have been so upset about the tornadoes stiking Tennessee!
Well, Louie, I will go now; I have to go to therapy. I will write more another time; until later, Nakemiin! God bless you always!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Finland, Sari Annike. :)
I read into this "International Family." I like this term. It is descriptive of your letters, which are a melting pot of cultures. We say love in many different languages. This particular letter really lights up our International Family here on the den. I have counted many cultures, religions, and styles present here in the den. Diversity is such a wonderful thing, as is your multicultural letters. Thanks for the letter today, Karen Lynn.
Thanks...yip stunning pic.....those lights do you really get them in all those fine colors...what are they? Is there a place I can read more about them?
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