Weds., June 14, 2006, 10:57 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

My Dear Friend, Susie~

Hiiii! This is your pal, Ronee'! I was so happy to have heard from you; it's been an awfully long time, hasn't it?? I have been so worried about you; I am so happy that God brought  y'all back together!!

Congratulations on the birth of your baby brother; that is absolutely fanTAStic news!! I hope to God he makes it; a baby weighing one pound isn't very big, and there is so much that can go wrong whenever a baby is born early! I will be praying for both the baby and for his mama!

Did you know I was born early? I was! I was supposed to have been born in March, but I came in December. I weighed over a pound (but not by much). My twin sister, Robyn, was bigger: she came in at a whopping two pounds. I guess I had lots of problems; I have seen pictures of myself as a baby, and I wasn't a pretty sight! I don't remember that far back, but I guess I was pretty sick. (Maybe it's a good thing?? *grins*)

I hope you and your sisters are okay. That must have been scary to see the ambulance and seeing your mama in labor. But I am glad that she is now in the hospital; that is the best place she (and your brother) can possibly be; the doctors and nurses will take extra good care of your mama and new baby brother! :)

Guess what! Tomorrow our new brother from Russia comes!! We heard from the adoption counselor, and she said that the plane has left Russia and is now winging its way towards America--and Vlademir, our new little brother, is ON BOARD!! I am sooo excited it will be a Miracle if I get any sleep tonight!! I hope that the plane makes it here safely, and I hope that Vlademir doesn't get sick along the way; that would be HORRID!! I will have to say an extra special prayer for Vlady tonight!!

I had fun last week: we went to Fan Fair, and I got to see a lot of my favorite country music stars. I got scads of autographs, and I had my picture made with a lot of them, too! Poor Loretta Lynn wasn't there; and then I find out she hurt her shoulder when she fell during a performance. How awful for her; she has had her share of bad luck lately! I will have to send Loretta a special get-well card, to let her know that I am thinking of her (and am keeping her in my prayers)!

If you want, I will send you some autographs; just let me know who you like (or want autographs of), and I will weed through my stack, and I will mail 'em to you, pronto!

But right now your mama (and your baby brother) are the most important thing on your mind--and deservedly so. I am sorry that your mama had him early, but they can do amazing things nowadays in trying to save tiny babies, more so than when I was born nearly fourteen years ago. Nowadays babies under two pounds--or even LESS--are surviving, and a lot of them are left unscathed, and they turn out just fine! I did; and I am sure that your little brother will, too! :)

Well, Susie, I will go now. Please keep us informed as to how your mama (and your new brother) are doing! I will be praying extra hard when we go to church tonight, and I can let our pastors know about the baby! They will be thrilled!! Again, congratulations, and know that y'all are always in my thoughts and prayers! I love you, chere'!

~As always, your friend on this end, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux in Tennessee. :( >tears<