The Evolution Of My Story

I am so very sorry. Hoping you find peace through all this with your two beautiful children and your loving, supporting family.

While I certainly don't know you in person, following your blog I have come to the conclusion that you have cultivated a self of grace, strength, resilience and optimism. Those traits are apparent in your posts, your layouts and your photographs. As many have noted, your words/posts have often been a source of inspiration to me. I hope you find comfort and space as you and your family move through this overwhelming change.
I just read an interesting, brief piece on change in a parenting newsletter I get. Here is the link if you like: http://www.mentoringboys.com/newsletter/2011/Transitions_Dec2011.pdf.

Ali, I am so sorry for the difficult time you and your family are going through right now. I have followed your blog for years, and I admire your strength and honesty. Know that you are an amazing woman and mom, and that there will be better times ahead. Draw on the love of your children and supportive friends to help you through. Sending you hugs and prayers.

Ali - I have followed you for years...taken classes etc and I sensed the change before it was ever shared. I have even prayed for you and not known really why. Just knowing that it is the right thing to do even though you do not know me. Having been through this, my heart aches for you. Your children and your family will and your chuch will be your center. God Bless you....from Savannah,GA.

Sending up prayers for your family.
<3

Ali
you are the epitome of grace and i can only tell you from experience that it does get better... my very best for you and the kids and your entire family as you move thru this transition...
melissa

Sending prayers for you and your family. Wishing you peace and happiness as you move forward. Hugs!

Like many others have said, I feel as I know you. When my own son was diagnosed w/autism, I thought immediately of Simon and you and thought, "We can still be happy." So, to hear this, I feel sad but I know you can and will be happy. I know everything will be easier to bear with time. For now, breathe, allow yourself to feel sad if you need to, and know that there are prayers being sent to you and your family. Merry Christmas and may 2012 bring you peace and happiness.

Ali,
Your wisdom about life is amazing. I look back at the divorce I went through and regret that I did not have a positive attitude and that I let hurt and anger take over my life. It was a hard road. My prayers continue to go out to you. You are such a great role model for women and esp. mothers!

Peace for you and your family and an abundance of good health, joy, and love in the New Year. You are a brave and tough lady who will make it through this bump in the road. Prayers!

Dear Ali, my heart breaks for your loss. I will continue to lift you all up in prayer. I pray you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for being real and sharing something that is so hard to share. One of my favorite quotes is, "With a sister, joy is multiplied and grief divided." Glad that you have a wonderful support system to help you through this time.

Hi Ali,Thanks for sharing so much of you, your family and your life.So sorry your having a hard time at the moment.Through all this you continue to inspire and educate us and for this I thank you..Every day I look forward to your blog and face book posts they make my day better...so I hope this message I am sending can make your day a little better.x

Peace to you Ali. A terribly stressful time to go through for all of you but you have so much poise and dignity that you will come through the other side even stronger. I am from an example where we have made it work, it can be done. Hugs all round.

Ali,
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. I went through the same thing when my kids were young and it is awful, terrible, painful..all those things. But I want to share with you that you WILL weather this storm and your kids will be FINE!! Mine are now thriving--my eldest is now a high school Math teacher and my youngest is about to graduate from college. We've had many discussions about the role of divorce in their lives (all those years of the every other weekend merry-go-round!). But in the end, they've been there, assuring ME that they are fine, they know they are loved, and the bottom line is that everyone has "crosses to bear." They are strong, confident people and your kids will be too. I promise you,as one who has survived this storm, that you will look back and realize it was for the best. I wouldn't wish going through a divorce on anyone, but I know now that it can be done with grace and dignity.
I wish you the best on your journey and I thank you for being my scrapbook inspiration mentor for many years. I have been a long time fan of your talents!

That period of "Will our marriage last?" "What is going to happen?" and other questions has come to an end. And you know the answer. Now another set of questions will appear and you'll be searching for answers again.

May you remember each and every day that you need strength to guide your children - and remember that you can find strength among your family, friends and blog-readers. Please do what you need to do for yourself, so that you are able to support your children.

Ali, I'm very touched that you are sharing your real life with everyone. My heart goes out to you during your (and the childrens) difficult adjustment. As hard as it is to share, I believe you will help others going through the same process (I've been divorced since 1986. My children are now grown and for the last 4 to 5 years I've really been enjoying my life.....took a while, huh?) One thing I have learned from you is that you are strong. You're a survivor and I wish you the very best. I also think it is great that Chris WANTS to remain a part of Simon and Anna's life. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! You all will remain in my prayers.

I applaud your honesty which is one of the things I truly love about you. Going through divorce is not easy but there is light at the other end. If you go into being positive and loving that that he how you will come out the other end. I truly believe that things happen for a reason, when my marriage ended I could not figure out why this had to happen to me but I did my best to be positive and can honestly say that my life is very different to where it was and I have loved where I ended up.
My thoughts are with you, Chris and your lovely children.
Stand tall and stay positive and you will love where you end up.
love me :-)

My arms are wrapped around you all...you are one of the strongest woman I know and I know that you have not only changed maybe your own life but the ones around you, in real life or in the land of blogging...may you all find the strength, love, support to get you through these days ahead...my hope is that we all find peace and happiness for 2012...love and hugs!

Thanks for being so gracious, and authentically sharing this chapter of your story with all of us. It is so evident the joy that your children are, and the wonderful relationships that you all have with your friends and extended family. I hope all of this will be an ongoing comfort and healing force to you in the coming days. I really love this quote from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. "Unbelievably good things can happen, even late in the game. It's so surprising. Any arbitrary turning along the way and I would be different." God bless you!