"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Beattie, Melody


THE BIRTH OF ALI:

May 5, 2001

Sweet Ali is now 8 years old.
From her conception, to birth and through her eight glorious years, Alexandria "Ali" Swaner Luna Swensen, has been a miracle.

She is "Magic' in every sense of the word.
Deep, blue pools for eyes, a smile that can disarm anyone and light up every room, every heart she meets and touches.

She leaves an indelible mark, with her own unique laugh, Ali-Kins shares smiles and light wherever she goes.
She radiates and glows!

During a time when our family was beginning to break, was a little broken, Ali was born.
It is and was through our loving Ali, each in our own way, that our family began to heal.

It's been said, "That it is by loving, not by being loved" that one becomes closer to another.
How easy it is to love her.
How easy it is to be amazed at her generous spirit.

In her little eight year old body is one amazing person;
A Gift of Life and Love like no other.
She radiates unconditional love, purity, fun, laughter
and graciousness...
Her smile is contagious and infectious.

She is beloved to each of us.
Her Mom, Deborah
Her Dad, Garth
And her baby brother Chase.
All benefit from her every smile and gesture.

She is my niece, my Great niece....
How lucky and blessed am I to be one of her Aunts?

I feel like the luckiest person alive!

For she is 'Magic," an artificer, creator, a lover of learning and all that is good.

I stand in awe of her, every day and in every way.
She softens my heart and begs me to be my best self.

I love you, my Ali-Kin's, today, tomorrow and forever.

Loves, Hugs and Gratitude-

Sheri

A special 'thank you' to her immediate family; Deb, Garth, Chase, Sue, Mike and Matthew--
Each of you aided and assisted in Ali becoming as precious as she is. Each of you, also, are so very dear to me.
Please know how very much I love and care for you.
How blessed I feel to call you family and loved one.

Mere words are not adequate enough..
But know I love and care for you deeply, eternally-
Forever and Always.

Yes, Ali, You are:
"Wonders of Wonders... Miracles of Miracles..."


A Poem by E. E. Cummings
About "The Heart."

"i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
with me, i carry your heart."


Dear Ali,
You ARE one of my few; "ONE TRUE THINGS."

Song: You'll Be Blessed by Elton John