I have been thinking about you lately, and I am sorry for not keeping in touch with you. I do hope that you aren't mad at me. It's just that--things---have been happening, and I have lost all track of time. I do hope you understand; I will tell you why I haven't written in just a bit, so just hold on.
First of all, as you know, I am married now. Have been married since last summer, and I am very mcuh in love with my husband, Nikolas. We also have decided to spend our summers in his native Greece, and winters here in Finland. He worked as a contractor when I first met him, but he has since gone into the travel agent business, and we have done some traveling. We met almost two years ago in Athens, Greece, at the Summer Olympics, where we both worked. (We are since working at the Winter Olympics being held right now in Torino, Italy. We have been having a wonderful time, and yes, I DID get you some souvenirs I will bring to you when we return to Finland!)
Secondly, Ilsa, I have been learning to live with the implications of having multiple sclerosis. This was why I felt weak and off balance, and I also still have my fibromyalgia to contend with. I am now walking with the aid of Lofstran crutches on good days (using a wheelchair on my worst days), and soemtimes I have trouble with my vision. I have double vision, which causes me to turn dizzy and nauseated; when I am like this, I usually spend my days in bed.
It is only compounded by the fact that I am pregnant. Yes, you read correctly: I AM pregnant! As you can imagine, I am wrestling with morning sickness, and I canNOT wait for this horror to end! I found out I was pregnant just before Christmas; as you can imagine, Nikky is overjoyed! (I am too, but frankly, Ilsa, I am also terrified. I am afraid that something may happen down the road or that my baby will be born damaged somehow; I have been having horrid nightmares, and I have been so emotional lately! One minute, I am laughing; the next, I am crying my eyes out! It is enough to drive me MAD!!)
I am still working at university as long as my health (MS) will let me. On my bad days, I stay home, where I try to get some rest. Usually it helps, but sometimes it doesn't; I have to wait until the flare passes, and then I am usually back to my normal self in a few days.
I have also been doing a lot of thinking--what is going to happen to me (or Nikolas) in the future, if I want to leave Finland altogether and settle in Greece (I don't know; heat only exacerbates my MS symptoms, but it IS pretty there, especially where Nikky comes from; he is from Athens), what is going to happen with my job at university when my pregnancy advances, thinking of my friends in America, thinking of Helvig (I haven't heard from him in what seems like forever!), thinking of (and missing) my own family. I dnn't see them as much as I should, and it really bothers me. I also think of my parents and how I miss them with every passing day. They say it gets easier when you mourn the loss of someone who has died, but I don't know: I think of Mother and Father, and I still get weepy.
Pardon me whilest I wipe my eyes---
Anyway, Ilsa, this is why I haven't written or called. I do hope you will forgive me. I hope you still have my phone number; give me a call one day! (I will be back from Torino probably in a week and a half. In the meantime, I still can email you; I do have your email address with me.) Please don't be angry with me, but as you can see, my life has been fraught with drama (and even joy)! I do hope we can remain friends; I really miss our girl-talk together! You have always been a wonderful ally, and I still have the kitty ("Nemo") you gave me. (My brothers are keeping a close watch on him; he has really gotten big! He weighs close to 20 pounds now, and he is...all...FUR. He's HUGE!!)
Do take care of yourself, Ilsa, and if you decide you still want to be my friend, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can write to me at my house address back in Ivalo; I will get to my mail upon my return from the Olympics. Until later, Ilsa, Nakemiin!
Love, your friend (hopefully!), Sari Annike Gustaffssenn (now Sari Annike Constantinos).
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
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.
