Johnny writes in his journal while sitting in his Study Hall class. He is feeling fine, and lots of good things have been happening to him and his family.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 10:10 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~
Dear Journal~
Hi! This is your pal, Johnny, writing. I am doing very well: my muscular dystrophy has been behaving itself (no new surprises in that department, thank goodness!), and my heart and seizures have too. I am still using the oxygen, but at least I am still breathing; I can be grateful for that! :)
Our family has gotten a little bit bigger: maman and daddy adopted four new kids, two boys (Vijay and Emir) from India and Iraq (Vijay is five, and Emir is a baby; he is a little over a year old), and two girls (Opal Lee and Emma-Ruth) from China and Vietnam (Opal is five, and Emma-Ruth is eight). There may be another kid in the future; maman and daddy have been having "big discussions" about it. They want to adopt a child from Scandinavia, or someplace like Nepal, which is near India, and Myanmar.
I have never even heard of Myanmar. (Is it near Africa??)
I think it would be neat 'cause there would then be an even sixty children in our family. Personally, I think mama and daddy have gone over the deep end in the adoption department; however, I can't complain because if it were not for them, I wouldn't have a family myself. I was adopted, so I have no right to complain. I am very grateful to have the family I have because I know they love me unconditionally, and if ever I have a problem, they can always help me, especially maman, who happens to be a nurse.
There is more good news on the Johnny front: I scored all A's and two B's on my last report card. My parents are very proud of me. And you know what? I am proud of me, too. School used to be so hard; ever since I went to Sylvan for after-school help, my grades (not to mention, my attitude) have shot way up, and I am having the best time! I have lots of friends, and they love me for ME, not because I am handicapped, but because I am a lot of fun to be around! (And I am, too! :) )
Maman's friend, Kendra, got married this past Saturday; she married a guy named Michael (I don't know his last name yet, but I bet it won't be long before mama finds that out! :) ). They will soon have twenty-two kids, twenty one girls and one lone boy (they need another boy!!). Of course, the kids all have some type of special needs, like our family, and at the rate they are going, there will soon be as many kids in the Williams family as there are in mine! LOL I am so happy for her; I hope Michael treats her good, and I hope they have a very long and happy life together! :)
Kendra lives in California, the same place where my girlfriend, Rebekkah Cohen, lives. Rebekkah is doing very well herself: she may get her prosthetic legs back. I hope so because I bet she is tired of having to sit in her wheelchair all the time! I know I get tired of having to sit in mine, but I have no choice in the matter: my MD is getting worse, and it is getting harder for me to use my crutches. It's a bum deal.
I will be glad when "American Idol" is over. I can't stand that show! Ronee' always sings along with the contestants, and it is all I can do to keep from telling her to shut up; I want to hear the contestants, not Ronee'! She just loves that show!!
Maman is back at work; she went back today, and she is probably wishing she were still off! She has been working lots of night shifts lately, and she's also done doubles, so she hasn't been home. Poor daddy has been acting as "Mr. Mom", and it is hard on his body!
The weather has been nice: sunny with pleasant temps; time to put away the winter gear, I think. I hope so; I am tired of the cold! It feels good to get out in the warm sunshine and get in a little baseball! (Speaking of baseball, our "Challenger" team will be having practice again starting next weekend. I am looking forward to seeing my baseball buddies again, and making new friends!)
(The "Challengers" are made up with kids ages 6-18 who have special needs. Kids with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities are invited to join, and we always have a great time. I have made many wonderful friends on the team, and it is always a thrill to hear the parents and my friends cheering us on! My family comes to the games, and they make enough racket to fill Yankee Stadium! *grins*)
I am a baseball fanatic; always have loved baseball. Even though I am physically disabled, it doesn't stop me from rooting for my favorite team the New York Yankees or playing in the Special Needs Little League! As long as there's baseball, I am happy! :)
I found out that maman's friend in Finland, Sari Constantinos, is expecting again. She and her husband, Nikolas, have one child (a little girl, Birtta Aurora, who will be one year old in May); they just found out about it, and have e-mailed maman with all the details. I am happy for them; I hope they have a boy! :)
Maman's friend Jenna Aurora Doucet who lives in Alaska is expecting too; she and her husband have a little boy, Mattack, who is going to be one next month. Mattack had a rough start in life, but he is now okay, thank the Lord! :) Jenna says that he is eating like a horse and is getting fat! She says he looks like a little butterball! LOL
Lots of babies and weddings to be had in the Sandusky family department! :) (Okay, not us, per se, but to our friends! :) Well, we kinda' have a new baby: Emir Muhammed is a baby, so I guess he counts! :) )
Whoops! I guess time got away from me: it is nearly time for me to go to my next class, which is Social Studies. Right now we are studying the electoral process; personally, I find it very boring. I hope we move onto something more substantial soon before my head falls off from pure boredom! LOL Take care, and talk to ya soon! Bye!
The mood of this is so infectious, Karen, and with Johnny's upbeat attitude it is impossible to think that ANYTHING in my life is a problem! :)) Spring in the air, weddings and babies... No wonder the page is stamped with his grin, notwithstanding the other difficulties which he glosses over with such energy. GOODNESS ME... what will happen when 60 kids all become of marriageable and baby-able age????????????????????????????? LOL Kate xx
Reviewed by d. k
3/13/2007
Very well written my friend! I am learning so much through your work! Keep up the great work!
I am always blessed by either the amount of medical information you disseminate, Karen, or how you deal with the disabilities, or both! Your letters are always true-to-life, and a font of hope!
I have written a chapter called I Am That, I Am in this inspirational compilation book by best-selling authors and wonderful people from all walks of life xox :-D (Its sister book is called Adventures In Manifesting - Success and Spirituality)
