Thursday, April 27, 2006, almost five here in Florida~

Dear Louisiana~

I know it has been a while since I last heard from you, and that is one reason why I am writing to you now. Are you mad at me or something? Did I say something to make you angry? Or are you too busy with things to even bother writing back to me? I have been worried about you, and I am wondering if it was a good idea to ever write to you in the first place.

I am still here in Florida, but I no longer live in South Miami. I now live in Tampa/St. Petersburg, and I am happier here. The boys are still here with me, and they are both growing each and every day! Every day there are new things to discover and learn, and they are getting taller. In fact, last week, I went to enroll them both in preschool--another sign that they are growing up. *sighhhh* Pretty soon they will be going to regular school, pretty soon they will be going to college! *more heavy sighing* How I wish I could keep them little forever; they are so cute now!

I am sorry to inform you that Mother died. She died in January when her lungs just quit. She had to go on a respirator the last few weeks of her life, and it was so hard seeing her struggling. I thought the best thing for her was to put her in a hospice program, and it wasn't long after when she mercifully died. I am still grieving over her death, and I know the boys are wondering where their Nonna is. They really don't understand that she is now dead, and that she will never come back to see them (or me) ever again. I don't know how to explain death to two small boys, and it is tearing my heart to pieces! What do I do or what do I say?? Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated!

How is the weather there in Nashville? Here it is sunny and warm, but then that is typical for Florida. I am dreading hurricane season: already the hurricane center in Miami is predicting an active hurricane season, and after last year's record number of storms, I am wondering what is down the pike for us. Please keep the American South in your prayers, and pray that we get through this hurricane season in one piece!! Thanks! Any prayers for us would be greatly appreciated!!

Have you adopted any more children yet? How big is your family now? I still don't know how you can keep tabs on so many children! You make me tired just thinking about it! LOL Don't you ever wish you could get away from the children, even if it is for only a few hours? I don't know how you can get through a day without going crazy!!

Are you still doing that adoption community thing? How many members are there in it, and who is the person who lives the farthest away? Where do they live? Do you have anyone from outside the United States? What is new with some of your adoption buddies? Better yet, what is new with YOU guys? I hope this finds each and every one of you in good health! We are all fine on this end, but we are missing Mother, and Easter without her was very hard. Easter was a very sad day for the Ciagalore family! We just stayed home and thought of Mother, and of course, we all cried together. She was very much loved by myself and the boys!

Well, Louisiana, if you write back, I will be waiting. I would love to hear from you; I miss your warm, chatty, friendly, heartwarming letters! I have been thinking about you a lot lately, and this is one reason why I wrote. I do want to remain your friend; I hope you will do the same for me.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon! God bless you and your family!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your Florida friend, Betty Jo Ciagalore. :)