Saturday, February 3, 2007, 11:14 a.m., E.S.T.~

Dear Louisiana Sandusky~

My name is Ruby Dee Oppenheimer. I live in Columbus, Ohio. I am in the process of adopting a child with special needs from China, a little girl I will probably rename Mariah. Mariah is four years old, and she has autism.

I am in the process of waiting; this waiting is killing me! How do people put up with all the suspense of not knowing a particular child is going to be yours or not? It's no wonder parents who are adopting often go crazy!!

I got your name from a friend of mine in Pennsylvania named Ellen Michelle George, who has four boys, two adopted from China. I read your story, and I felt compelled to write. I hope you don't mind.

To tell you about myself, I am at home because I am unable to work. I have lupus erythematosus, which is an autoimmune disorder that can attack  major organs as well as the joints. Sometimes I get so sick I end up in the hospital. I can walk without any assistance, but sometimes I am in such severe pain I am afraid I'll go mad! I also get severe migraines, often to the point of passing out from the pain. I was married, but my husband left me for another woman, and these past few years have been hell!

Tell me more about your Miracle Family. I would like to know what it is like to raise nearly sixty kids; the noise level must be astounding!! How do you do it without losing it? What possessed you to adopt so many children? I can understand one or two or maybe three, but fifty-nine  children?? What led you to adopt them, and what is your most endearing memory as a parent? What is your most difficult memory, and how do you cope with so much sickness or disease among your brood? That has got to be so hard!!

I will be checking out your books; they have them at our local library. I will let you know what I thought of them. I love to read about families who were touched by adoption (particularly intercountry or special needs); it takes a special type of person to parent children with different disabilities! You must have the patience of a saint!

I have done a book about poetry, a book about my divorce from Edgar (my ex), and I also wrote of my desire to start a family of my own. I will send you a copy, so be expecting something in the mail from me!

Thanks for letting me write; I will go now. I am going out to eat with some friends and perhaps catch a movie, anything to keep my mind occupied! This waiting to hear about Mariah is the hardest thing I've had to do since finding out that Edgar (the worm!!) cheated on me!!

Take care, and God bless!

Most sincerely, your new friend in Ohio, Ruby Dee (my real, given name!).