Coleman Houghton, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his two small sons, writes back to a woman in Tennessee after Louisiana Sandusky wrote him an e-mail.
Thursday, April 6, 2006, 7:22 A.M., D.S.T.~
Dear Louisiana~
Your letter brought me such hope in my time of incredible sadness; for that I can only say two words: Thank you.
Your son (Johnny) is beautiful! Such a happy looking kid! I am glad that you have him in your life; he sounds like something special! I only hope that my Caleb can be just like him, beating the odds and proving the docs wrong! All I can do is hope and pray for a Miracle; thank you for putting him on your church's prayer chain!
I just wonder how the impact of Johnny's illness effects your remaining children. Do they often get mad at him because he can no longer do the things that they can? Or do they help him whenever he needs it? (I certainly hope it is the latter.) Anyway, I can't help but wonder how the other chldren must feel; I am sure that it is very difficult for them to grasp the reality that is muscular dystrophy.
I know that my Cyrus gets mad at his little brother because Caleb is always falling down, and he gets extra attention because of it. I try to tell him to be patient with his brother, but it doesn't always work out that way. It is very frustrating at best.
I will get in touch with the local MDA; hopefully they will help me in my time of need. I am just dreading the time when Caleb goes for his brace fitting or gets his first pair of crutches, his first wheelchair; and there is not a damn thing I can do to prevent it from happening. Already I hate the crutches, the wheelchair, the braces; such ugly looking things they are! They will tell people that my son is sick, and there isn't a goddamn thing I can do about it!! (Sorry for the profanity, but I am just. so. overwhelmed!!) I feel so helpless, and I think I have cried more these past few weeks than I have when my brother died of cancer several years back!
You sound like a wonderfully caring person to take in so many broken, needy children. May the Lord bless you; the world certainly can learn from angels like yourself! But how do you manage to work full time AND raise a SuperFamily?? I would have to make myself a clone to tackle some of the things you do in a day! Sheeshamighty!!
I will look for the list you are sending me; thank you for trying to help me. I may not want to read the books at first because the pain is still so fresh and real; but I know I will get curious and want to read them anyway. I am sure that the information therein will be very helpful. I do hope that I can find the strength to cope; right now I am such an emotional basketcase!!
I would like to read your other book, "...And The Miracles Continue: The Sandusky Family Story, Continued". Please let me know as to where I can get it. Thanks! I would also like to read your new book for children when it comes out in print. Please let me know as to when it will come out and where I can get it! Thanks!
How is the weather there? Here it is nice and warm, almost too warm for this time of year. But I love it: I am a warm weather fan, and my boys love getting outside and playing with their toys and on the swingset! We may get some storms by tomorrow; I hope we don't get any severe weather! Springtime can be so volatile in the southland in the spring!
Well, Louisiana, I will go for now. Caleb is calling me; he fell down again. I will have to see if he is okay. Take care, and God bless you always! Keep us in your prayers!
Most sincerely, Coleman Houghton in Birmingham, Alabama. :( >tears<
P.S.: Here's a pic of my cat, "Fur-Fur", named by my son, Caleb. Isn't he a lump?? LOL
Love the cat!!! It is great to see how much he is cheered up now after receiving Louisiana's letter! But, most of all, it is real, a good supporting letter can indeed work wonders! Excellent work,
love and hugs, Birgit and Roger
I really like this new interaction with the Mum/Dad crossover... puts the "caring" factor into a new light. Very heartwarming and touching, Karen... and The Lump is altogether toooo gorgeous... very therapeutic, I should think!! LOL Kate xx Hope your Daddy's winning!! :))
Karen
Hope and inspiration are in short supply these days in this Fallen World....we must keep uplifting others on a daily basis
Love and Blessings
Peter
Great write, reminding us that the ones we love are going to fall down and we are helpless to stop it. And sometimes, no matter how we might wish make the world better, that are parts of it that we are stuck with. It would be good if there were no darkness, but then again, without darkness, how could any of us see the light of faith shining?
Spoken Word
This CD will touch the deepest inner part of your humanness and spirit, you will never be the same after listening to the depths of struggle, the reality of life, the touching voice of truth. It will shock you, move you to tears. It w
A poignant story about letting go of a narcissist in your life. Have you ever been attacked FULL force by a narcissist? It's the closest thing to being stabbed over and over in the back.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
