Diana, January 9,1980

Oh, how excited we were-waiting for your arrival!! I can see my little family now on the couch. Dixie on one side, Donna on the other side, my tummy very, very big, and we read Mouse House over and over. We didn't have any regular babysitter, we didn't really need to, so when the time came for me to make that trip over the Silver Bridge to Holzer Hospital, we all went. Daddy drove, Dixie and Donna in the back seat, and of course, me in the passenger seat. (My water broke as we were crossing the Ohio River.)
We went in the ER and Daddy helped Dixie and Donna find a seat in the waiting room and they sat there better than some adults while he went back with me to get situated and wait for our 3rd little baby. Would she be a boy or a girl? Good question. It was going to be a little while before you would be born so Daddy took the 2 girls back home and put you to bed. After you were born I called him on the phone to say, "We have another girl."
Can you imagine the excitement we all felt? Daddy and I were so thrilled. Dixie and Donna were thrilled. You were a very good and contented baby. It could be because of all the attention you got from the other family members.
I may write more later about your blindness, but I want to add here I have a picture in my mind that will never go away. After we found out that our little girl may never see I would pass the room where your crib was and would see your Daddy sitting on the twin bed with his head in his arm and his shoulders shaking with his sobs. Words do not discribe the pain we felt. It was Dixie's 5th birthday just days after we found out all of this. I had to pull myself together to have a party for her when that was the last thing I felt like doing.
I remember at times feeling the prayers of God's people. Ringles' were such a support. And God chose to heal. More for later.
But, I want to add that you have added so much happiness and love and we are so very proud of you. You have worked hard to complete your schooling, working now toward your 10-40 window assignment. I love you sooooo much. God has some great things in store for you!!!!