Who's for an Ode to Aleja?

Thanks for the kind welcome Aleja.  Wow, your story's amazing, and your character even moreso.

It's a pleasure to know you.  Have you written your story down?  My upbringing wasn't idyllic but

yours makes it look pretty tame by comparison.   But as you'd know by now, some of us put our

hands up for bigger challenges in life than others. You went for the big one, and came through just fine.

I love your poetry, and the good use you make of your time helping the young.  Keep it up.  You're

an inspiration to us all.