Dear Alli Jean~

Dear Alli~I love you more! On May 12, 2012 you came into our lives as a perfect gift from God <3 I was blessed at being present at your birth and cried when Dr. Gibbs held you up for your mommy and Daddy to see you. You were 'perfect'! Another beautiful grand baby to love! You have the quietest cry, you can barely be heard. You are such a happy baby. You don't even know that there is anything wrong with you (a gift from God so you don't worry) Your big sister, Emma can't get enough of you! Everything seemed fine until mommy and daddy took you to your wellness checkup on July 20 when you were 9 weeks old. Dr. Liz thought she detected a heart murmur, had Dr. Koz listen, then sent you to a pediatric cardiologist who did an EKG and told your folks you have an VSD (ventricular septal defect) and an ASD(atrial septal defect, two holes in your heart, plus a narrowing of the aortic valve. WOW! What news! Within two hours, you went from your pediatric doctor, to a pediatric cardiologist, to have open heart surgery scheduled on August 1st. You will be going to C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor and after surgery will have to stay there 10-14 days. I am very scared, but I have faith that God will see you through according to His plans! Your mommy and daddy have been researching and gathering as much information as possible. I have been searching and looking at pictures to show where your holes may be. Your big sister, Emma does not know or understand what is going on and will be sating with me and Aunt Kelsi during your hospital stay. I made up a song when I first cradled your mom in my arms and enjoyed singing it to her and your Aunt Kelsi, all your cousins, and now you. Gramma loves you, yes she does; grampa loves you, yes he does;Jesus loves you, yes he does; All of us love you! So many people want to help! Your daddy's work has taken up a collection. There is a Facebook page that is a prayer chain for you, people are donating money to help with expenses, gift bags full of goodies and essentials for at the hospital. Some friends are putting together a benefit. My friend, Rose Harlacher, crocheted you a beautiful 'prayer shawl' to comfort you during your stay and after. We blessed the shawl with this prayer that goes with it. Prayer of Blessing May God's grace be upon this shawl, warming. Comforting, enfolding, embracing.. may this mantle be a safe haven, a sacred place of security and well- being...sustaining and embracing in good times, as well as difficult times. May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in Hope, kept in Joy, graced with Peace and wrapped in Love. Blessed be! I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for family, friends, acquaintances and strangers who are/have offered to help and are praying for you! God has richly blessed us!