August 2011, Calgary, Alberta, Canada~

Eden Rankowsky here.  I hope this finds you well.  We, the Rankowskys, are doing about as well as can be expected, given the circumstances we face on a daily basis with our daughter, who has severe special needs.

Heather Danielle is now fourteen years old.  She turned fourteen back in June.  She will be entering the eighth grade at school, which starts back up next month.  We have had a pretty good summer, but frankly, I'm ready for fall.  I am tired of the hot temperatures or the threat of storms day after day after day!

Heather seems to be doing better with her health since having the G-tube implanted last year.  She hasn't really had any episodes of choking, which has been a blessing in disquise.  Heather still wears the oxygen at night and has to have physiotherapy/breathing treatments several times a day (plus take meds to keep her lungs clear), but other than that, she is doing well.

I have some news: I am pregnant!  Yes, I found out last month.  I thought I was having water weight gain (plus my monthlies had stopped); I got concerned, so I went to see Dr. Hobbs.  That was when he broke the news.  So now I am going to have a baby, and Heather Danielle is going to become a big sister!

Isn't that just a kick in the head??

Morris is, as you can imagine, extremely estatic.  I am happy, too, but the fact of the matter is this: after finding out that Heather was born with a rare genetic disorder, what's to say our next child won't be the same?   Having one severely handicapped child is enough; I don't think Morris (or I) would be able to handle two!

G-d wouldn't be that cruel ... or would He??

I try not to think about that, but sometimes it festers in the back of my mind, and all I can do is cry.  It's awful!!

The northern lights have been having a field day in our skies.  On just about any clear night, one can expect to see the multicoloured ribbons/streams/rivers of light dancing up above our heads, changing colours, and making for an amazing light show.  Last week, we saw lightning along with the northern lights, as storms approached our area, before the clouds totally encompassed the auroral display.  It was fantastic! 

They are expecting lights again tonight for our area.

Well, it is time to check in on Heather, who is taking a nap, so i'd best run along for now.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Eden Rankowsky saying so long!  Be blessed!

~Eden.  :)

~To be continued.~