Hello! Eden Rankowsky here. Hope this finds each and every one of you well and happy (or reasonably so).
Sorry if I haven't written with an update on our lives, but our daughter, who has severe special needs, keeps us very busy. Caring for Heather Danielle is a full-time job, yet we are more than happy to accomodate her and her needs. (Heather is thirteen and a half; she will be fourteen in June.)
Heather cannot walk, talk, feed or dress herself, or even go to the restroom. She was born with a rare genetic disorder and it's caused her to become increasingly disabled. It's a miracle she's lived this long, but G-d has plans, so this is why He has allowed her to live as long as she has. We are grateful for G-d doing this; we cannot imagine our lives without her.
The weather here is still cold, but that's okay. Spring takes a long time coming here to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which is where we make our home. I don't mind the cold weather, but I know Heather does, especially if we get a lot in the way of snow because it's hard for her to get around anyway; the snow only makes it worse.
We are usually stuck inside all winter save for trips to the doctors' offices, or when we take Heather to school.
It has been a very long, hard winter. The northern lights have been busy in our nighttime skies; to see them brings me a sense of joy because it means that spring can't be far behind. In fact, next week spring officially arrives, and I can't wait!!
Heather continues to do well in school. She is still on the AB honur roll; she has proven to others just how very smart she really is. We are very proud of her academic achievements!
Heather has many friends; sometimes they come over, where they have slumber parties and giggle just like typical adolescent girls, even though her friends can easily see that Heather is anything but typical. Still, they do accept her and her disabilities, and this is the way it should be. They see her as a child with disabilities, and they can see that even with all her problems, she can still have a good life.
If anything, Heather has taught others compassion, patience, and above all, tolerance. People are very good to her, and it makes up for all the stares, comments, or finger pointing from those who don't know her (or want to get to know her).
Heather is at school as I write this; Morris and I are enjoying a nice, quiet morning at home with nobody to bother us. Our cat, "Samoa", is sitting on my lap, purring very loudly, and kneading my legs with her paws. She is very happy, and so are we. Maybe Morris and I will go out to lunch; it sounds like a good plan. We haven't gone out to eat in a while.
Well, I have to go. The phone is jangling; hopefully it isn't another danged sales call. We seem to get those a lot; if it doens't quit soon, I'm going to have to put my name on a "don't-call" list! I will write in here again; hopefully I won't wait several months to do so! I'm bad about writing in my journal! Until later, this is Eden Rankowsky saying so long!
~Eden.
