Ivalo, Finland, 20 March, 2010~
Terve! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!
It is me, Annike Terggen, of Ivalo, Finland, writing. I hope this finds you all well and (reasonably) happy. I am doing pretty good, all things considering: I have my bad days; then again, I also have my good days, so it all balances out in the end. I know with the Lord's help, I will make it; I will just have to learn to trust in Him when I am struggling.
Yesterday my sisters Rachael and Elke and I visited Mother at the nursing facility where she is at: her memory issues remain about the same. Some days she is lucid (clear-headed); on others, she doesn't appear to know who she is, where she is at, or who we are; it's really sad! So far she seems to be well taken care of, so that is a huge relief on our minds.
I saw Sari the other day: her eyes have seemed to have calmed down; she is no longer having as much trouble seeing, much to my (and her) relief. She was just having an MS flare, and it affected her vision. It does that sometimes. She is putzing around town on her crutches (or in her wheelchair or scooter on her bad days); she is also busy being a good little mamma to her three children who need her. I have been keeping Sari and her husband, Nikolas, in my prayers every day.
The weather is good: starting to warm up, days becoming longer, just the first hint of leaves and flowers appearing. Soon our country will be ablaze in color; the sun will also be out most of the time; I am so glad these long, cold winter days are about over for us! I am ready for a more pleasant change in the weather!
I know it will do my aching body a lot of good!
My friend, Riivka Ibbotsenn, the one who has arthritis, is now walking with crutches, just like she used to, before she got her hips replaced. She is doing better, too, and it gladdens me. So much good news on my friends; I am a very happy person right now!
Hard to believe that the Winter Olympics held recently in Canada are over and done. Finito. I really enjoyed them; Finland got several medals, including some gold, but nowhere near the United States, who had over 30 medals, to lead the total medal count. I was sorry to see the Olympics end; I always enjoy the Winter Games! Now it's just back to the same old dull, boring routine!
Last night we had some amazing auroral displays: bands and ribbons of pink, magenta, red, white, green, blue, even yellow, dancing across our skies. I would have stayed out and watched them for hours if the cold hadn't chased me indoors! LOL I tried to take some pictures of the auroras, but I shook too badly; just about all of my pictures were blurry. I was so disappointed!
Peiter and Rieker, my two nephews, are continuing their troublesome ways: they both got expelled from school; turns out both were buying drugs and got caught. Meth and cocaine. I know they are my nephews, but I am very disappointed in them. Their mother taught them better than that, as did I! They are now at a drug rehabilitation center for troubled youth; I pray they get the help they need so desperately!
On the other hand, my remaining nephew Ollaf and my nieces Ericka and Zara are doing great in school: all are getting very high marks and are a blessing to their parents (and teachers). I am very proud of them all!
I wish I had more to write about, but my life is rather boring: I spend it going from one doctor to another, trying to get answers on my pain issues, or staying home. Or gong to the nursing facility to see Mother or seeing my immediate family. With April coming up (and the anniversary of our father's passing; he died last April of a massive heart attack), I have to keep my mind busy, or else I will think of Father's death, and I would go mad with grief. I still miss him so much; we all do! He was the rock of our family; he was certainly something special!
Well, I am giong to go. I am hurting again; pain medication wearing off (just some ibuprofen that you can get at the store; no prescribed medication). I am going to lie down, hopefully for a few hours. I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Annike Terggen saying Nakemiin!
~Love, your friend in Finland, Annike. :)
