Louisiana writes to a long lost friend in Florida after Betty Jo Ciagalore e-mailed her. She is excited because in a little less than a month, she and her husband, Bill, are going on a five-day Mexican cruise to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary.
Thursday, April 27, 2006, 7:57 p.m., D.S.T.~
Dear Betty Jo~
Hi! How are you? It has been a long time since I last written, and I am indeed sorry; but things have been happening on many levels. Let me explain...
First of all, I have my children to take care of, and when I am not taking care of my children, I am taking care of my elderly parents, and I also work full-time. (Still workin' at the hospital; I have been doing a lot of double shifts lately).
Secondly, I have my adoption community to take care of, and I am always e-mailing (or calling) people. I refer people to reputable adoption agencies after they have written to me, and we keep in touch with one another.
I write to people from all over the United States of America, plus Canada, England, and Japan.
Third, there's church business. We recently had our annual Easter Cantata, and that took up a lot of our time. Now that it is over, we can relax somewhat, but we still have services three times on Sunday (twice in the morning, once in the evening) and Wednesday nights (sometimes more often whenever we have special revival--or other--services).
In addition, we have choir rehearsals (practices) on Thursday nights. We are still very involved with our church, Christ Community Assembly of God.
I also have done my fourth book--and my first for children. I have found out that it has been accepted for publication; it should be released either later this year or the start of 2007, the way things look now.
I do want to be a friend to you; I am sorry if I haven't been a good one. Please do forgive me. No, I am not too busy for any of my friends; somehow, I will make time to respond to e-mails. It may not be right away, but I WILL write back--eventually!
Betty, I am sorry to learn of the death of your mother. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss! I wish I would have known about it sooner; that way I could have called you or sent you a card!
If you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to call (you have my number) or write (you have my e-mail as well as my physical addy!)!
I am glad your boys are doing well; it is always exciting when kids learn new words or have new experiences. I love watching my littler children whenever they see new things for the first time or learn new words. They seem so excited, and they never tire of learning!
The look of rapt excitement on their young faces is absolutely precious, and it is a moment that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!
So you are no longer in South Miami. No wonder I haven't heard from you. You were busy moving in and settling in your new residence. I have been thinking about you too, Betty, have been wondering what was going on in your part of the world. Did you ever find a job yet? If so, where are you working?
The weather here is nice: sunny, albeit a bit on the cool side. It has been a cooler-than-normal spring, and we have had more than our share of storms.
As for the upcoming hurricane season, I can fully understand your fear: hurricanes are nothing to mess with, and after Katrina, one wonders if there will be any hurricanes that will match her ferocity.
Hurricane Katrina was a record-beraking storm on many levels, and she has changed the face of the American South forever; the South will never be the same again since Hurricane Katrina came calling!
I just wonder if any of her displaced residents will ever go home again...we have some evacuees here in Tennessee, and they have already said that they won't go back to Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi; they love it here, and they plan on staying here as long as possible! Here they don't really have to worry about hurrcicanes nearly as much, and for them, this is of much comfort.
Some of the evacuees have been going to our church, and we have welcomed them joyfully.
For a while, we had three children from New Orleans, Louisiana, two boys and a girl, but they are now with other families, and they seem to be doing well, according to their foster parents. They are in the process of being adopted, and I hope that they get a "forever family" soon!
If there is anyone who deserves a good home (or a family), it is these three youngsters who were so devastated by Hurricane Katrina!
No, we haven't adopted any new children since Janica back in August of last year. Of course, this can change. It seems when we are not thinking of adopting any new children the agencies start calling, and *boom* more kids somehow end up joining the family! God has been blessing us big time with children in need of a home/family!
Betty, I am happy to report that in June, Bill and I WILL be getting away from the children (if only for a week). We are going on a cruise to Mexico (Cozumel and Playa del Carmen).
We are going to Mexico to celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary, and we are looking forward to a week away on the ocean blue! *grins* This will be our first time to be going to Mexico; as you can imagine, we are beyond excited! This is going to be an experience we will not soon forget!!
Well, Betty, this is about it on our end. Please do write again soon, and again, I am sorry for the long delay in responding to your last letter. Now you know why I haven't written. I will try to do better next time. It may not be right away when I write, but I will write back--eventually! Just give me some time, and try to be patient with me. That is all I ask.
In the meantime, take care, God bless you always, and thanks again! It was a joy to hear from you; I know it has been a very long time!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :D
For all the children that she attends to and all the friends she writes to, we think she is doing a great job of being a good friend. Can't be everywhere at the same time. It is just so like her to worry that she is negolecting someone. Wonderful write!
Love, Birgit and Roger
Karen
That idyllic cruise to Mexico sounds a Godsend in the wake of the the twisters and the up and coming hurricane season...
You and Bill will be so glad and relieved to put it all behind you and relax on your sojourn down Mexico Way !
Love, Peace and Harmony
Peter
Thank you for sharing these insights into the lives of your characters, Karen. Your imagination has a wonderful source. Merci. Amour et paix ŕ toi. Ton ami de la C-B, Canada,
This is an exceptional letter; short paragraphs hold the readers attention and want to read more. BRAVA! And I'm glad Bill and Louie are getting away from it all...wish WE could. Oh, well...maybe in the future, if a miracle occurs! LOL
That ship looks familiar................wonder why? *cruise!!* LOL
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
