This picture is awful quality, but it doesn't diminish how sweet little Devri was. Why I was blessed with such a remarkable spirit I will never know, but I'm so glad I was. Devri was born on Augst 3, 2001. 8lbs 11oz. She was a sweet, sweet baby and an even sweeter toddler. How many hopes and dreams I have for you Dev. I changed my whole life around to give you everything you have and went through many trials to do it. I hope one day you will marry in the temple and I will be sitting by your side with Nan to be there for you. Just like Nan and Grandma Black were there by my side.
When we were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple my dreams came true. It was one of the happiest days of my life. When Dad and I got sealed together first I was fine, but when the sealer asked us to stand so you could be brought into the room to be sealed to us I was overcome with emotion. The tears fell continuously from my eyes. I couldn't control it. It was as if everything I had fought through to bring you to this place to be with me forever was coming to mind. And it was all worth it. All of it. I would do it all again.
One day at school in college I was missing you and couldn't stop thinking about you so I wrote you a poem:
-She Beams-
She Beams...
Golden threads of sunlit hair
She Beams...
Eyes with life and color none compare
She Beams...
No crevice in her perfect skin
She Beams...
The love of Christ radiates within
She Beams...
Hearts are lost to her smile
She Beams, She Beams
The Father's cherished child
You are my little drop of sunlight. I am so proud of the girl you are. I think you are beautiful, but more importantly I think you have a beautiful spirit. I know that there is a very special purpose on this earth for you. I could feel it all around you when you were a baby. I know I haven't been a perfect parent to you. I wish I could've been everything you ever needed. I wish I knew exactly how to speak to you, how to love you, and how to make you become who you are supposed to be. I feel like I've been given this amazing gift and I don't know how to keep it amazing! I'm an imperfect person, Dev. I hope you forgive me for that. I would do anything to help you you rise to your potential. I'm scared to death of raising you in a way that would not suffice the Lord. Your father and I love you so much. Don't ever question that. We will be here for you forever. In this life and the next.
