Thu, Nov 01, 2007:
Site for Ali
Please visit
and donate if you can.
If you can't donate, please link the site and spread the word however you can the most effectively. Thanks a lot, you guys. I have the best readers in the world.
Remember, the good book says, "Many hands make light work."
Mon, Oct 29, 2007:
Ali
When you have been teaching Sunday School for a while, oh, say, 17 or 18 years, you get to watch some kids grow up. There are kids I have known since they were 3 or 4 years old that are now teens and/or adults. Even though it makes you feel old sometimes, it’s still a very rewarding experience to watch them, almost like they were your own kids, especially the ones that let you feel that way. There is a family in our church that is pretty well-known in the southern part of town in an area called “Stratton Meadows” that I have known since we got here. We used to sit behind the mother of 10, although most of her children were grown and had families when we got here. She had 10 children and countless grandchildren. Well, I say countless because I haven’t asked her lately and one family had 16 children. I had some of their children in my class when I first started and I still get some of their children. It’s humorous, sometimes, to walk into a place and see some familiar-looking teenager working and say, “Aren’t you one of Marcela’s grandchildren?” And find out it was either a little boy or girl you had back then who’s all grown up or their cousin that knows some of the same people you do. “Does my Grandma (aunt, uncle, cousin) still go to your church?” “Well, you should visit your grandma more often so you would know, but yes, she still comes all the time. Why don’t you surprise her and come?”
Many of her children and grandchildren do attend our church regularly and have been faithful members for years. I know a teacher, especially a Sunday School teacher, should not have favorites, but I have NEVER met one of these kids I didn’t like. Ever. And I’ve met a lot of them. They are full of personality and life and while they are kids and have “their moments,” they are always sweet and kind and friendly. I count the entire clan as my friends; the whole bunch.
There are some that stand out more than others, however. One of them is Ali. Her older sister was in my 4 & 5 class and was very bright, a star, really. Most of that clan are stars and very intelligent with good understanding and most are good-looking. Anyway, after Ali came into my class I would so often absent-mindedly call her by her sister’s name it became something of a joke between us. She was one of those people that are shy at first, but once they know you they just open right up, full of sparkling personality. Bright as can be and smart as a whip, a pretty little girl, she has grown to be a beautiful young woman who has just had her 16th birthday. A 16th birthday, which by my children’s accounts was a lot of fun. She is that kind of person, who can determine to have fun, even though just 2 weeks before she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Yes, my “little friend” who is a young lady, has cancer. But she will not go down without a fight and with as many family and friends as she has, this is going to be some fight, let me tell you.
Below is the flyer that will be going up everywhere locally that we can get it with an invitation to what I will call the “First Salvo.” It is a dinner on her behalf. For my non-Colorado readers, her mom is setting up a fund with her bank and as soon as donation details are available I will post them. I am also adding a page, Ali's Flyer, which I will expand with her info. Right now it is just the flyer.
Remember, the Good Book says, “…For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Ali's Flyer
Alexandra, better know as "Ali" was diagnosed with Metastatic Thyroid Cancer just 2 weeks before her 16th birthday. We, her family and friends, are asking for your help. Donations will be used for medical bills not covered by insurance, such as co-pays, co-insurance and dductibles, and several trips to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas where Ali will be treated by the best doctors in the country.
A benefit dinner, "Ali's Miracle," will be held to help raise funds. The menu will consist of home-style Mexican food.
When: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: 3965 Clear View Loop (Old D.A.V. Building)
Hancock Expressway between Bradley rd. & Drennan
Price Per Plate: Adults $10.00 Children $5.00
Raffle Tickets can be purchased to win items valued at up to $70.00.
Many of her children and grandchildren do attend our church regularly and have been faithful members for years. I know a teacher, especially a Sunday School teacher, should not have favorites, but I have NEVER met one of these kids I didn’t like. Ever. And I’ve met a lot of them. They are full of personality and life and while they are kids and have “their moments,” they are always sweet and kind and friendly. I count the entire clan as my friends; the whole bunch.
There are some that stand out more than others, however. One of them is Ali. Her older sister was in my 4 & 5 class and was very bright, a star, really. Most of that clan are stars and very intelligent with good understanding and most are good-looking. Anyway, after Ali came into my class I would so often absent-mindedly call her by her sister’s name it became something of a joke between us. She was one of those people that are shy at first, but once they know you they just open right up, full of sparkling personality. Bright as can be and smart as a whip, a pretty little girl, she has grown to be a beautiful young woman who has just had her 16th birthday. A 16th birthday, which by my children’s accounts was a lot of fun. She is that kind of person, who can determine to have fun, even though just 2 weeks before she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Yes, my “little friend” who is a young lady, has cancer. But she will not go down without a fight and with as many family and friends as she has, this is going to be some fight, let me tell you.
Below is the flyer that will be going up everywhere locally that we can get it with an invitation to what I will call the “First Salvo.” It is a dinner on her behalf. For my non-Colorado readers, her mom is setting up a fund with her bank and as soon as donation details are available I will post them. I am also adding a page, Ali's Flyer, which I will expand with her info. Right now it is just the flyer.
Remember, the Good Book says, “…For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Benefit Dinner for Alexandra V. Leyba
Alexandra, better know as "Ali" was diagnosed with Metastatic Thyroid Cancer just 2 weeks before her 16th birthday. We, her family and friends, are asking for your help. Donations will be used for medical bills not covered by insurance, such as co-pays, co-insurance and dductibles, and several trips to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas where Ali will be treated by the best doctors in the country.
A benefit dinner, "Ali's Miracle," will be held to help raise funds. The menu will consist of home-style Mexican food.
When: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: 3965 Clear View Loop (Old D.A.V. Building)
Hancock Expressway between Bradley rd. & Drennan
Price Per Plate: Adults $10.00 Children $5.00
Raffle Tickets can be purchased to win items valued at up to $70.00.
