Re: Momma

Dear Momma,
Well, if I had been allowed to come home as I requested, I would be flying home this week. I'm trying to think that nine more weeks will be over soon. I've had a few other requests denied this week. I asked the travel office to fly me into Charlottesville, VA instead of DC when I go home. That flopped. I'm still flying into DC on the 12th of January, and I'll get there just in time to hit rush-hour traffic, so we should be on the road for several hours getting home, then several more getting down to President Carter. I'm going to bite Amanda Jeffrey (the travel office worker I spoke with) if I ever meet her.
I talked to mission president's wife about some of the things that have been bothering me physically. She told me to go see a dentist and go get the spot on my back checked at a health clinic (she said it's better to know that it's nothing than wonder). Mission finances don't cover dental stuff, so I guess that's really up to you. I did go to a health clinic about the spot. Before they'd let me set up an appointment or anything, they had a nurse take a look at the spot. She looked at it for about 3 seconds, then said 'Don't worry about it. You've got lots of other moles.' To which I said, 'I know, but that one looks different.' Her response: 'Yes, well... It's nothing. By the way have it checked when you're back in the United States.' ........I hate socialist healthcare. Just so you know, if I die of untreated melanoma, you'll want to sue a nurse named Justina, who works in Viktoria Kliniken in Halmstad.
I've been feeling a little cranky this morning. Okay, I've been feeling cranky for most of my life, but I have just been especially down lately. I'm just tired and homesick, and my companion irritates the crap out of me. She just skips around singing about sunshine and yammering about how wonderful and 'meant to be' everything is. It just makes me want to throw a big stick in front of her bike and watch her go flying or pour paint in her hair when we're doing service projects. I know. I'm a jerk. I do appreciate your uplifting thoughts. Keep sending them, as much as you can. I need them.
I can tell you about one positive thing that happened this week. We had All Saints Day. Swedes (and maybe Europeans too, I don't know) have the most wonderful tradition - they go out to the cemeteries on All Saints Day and light candles on the graves of their loved ones. It's the most beautiful thing, and Halmstad happens to have the prettiest cemetery I've ever been in. We spent about an hour just walking around the cemetery, looking at the candles. It was very soothing. It felt like I was sharing a few moments with Casey. I'm glad his stone has finally come and that it looks so nice.
My companion wants to go now, so I need to get off. I love you bunches, Mom. I hope you have a great week. I'll be praying hard, and I hope you'll be doing the same. I love you.

Love,
Syster Hillary Kiser