My daughter, Sonali Ronit, is a paradox of complexities; yet she brings us much in the way of joy.

Sonali was born nine years ago in India; we adopted her when she was three years old.  She's now nine.  We've had her six years.

Sonali was adopted because nobody else seemed to want her.  She was born with a deformed foot, four fingers on one hand, and cloudy eyes.  Sonali attends a school for children with special needs and has proven to be a very smart, resourceful little girl.

Sonali, like most kids her age, loves horses; in fact, she rides in a therapy program once a week (Saturday) for children with disabilities; she has her own horse that she rides, and she absolutely adores her.  Her horse is named "Wind Dancer" and she has a very gentle, calming nature about her.  After she rides "Wind Dancer", she bathes her and feeds her carrots, as a way of rewarding her for a successful ride; both horse and human have a deep trust with each other.

Besides riding her horse (which is probably her favorite activity to do), Sonali loves to dance, sing, read (Braille, since her vision is so poor), act, annoy her younger brother Benton (he's six), and tease her older sisters Ellen (11) and Avril (15).  Sonali is a very happy, active, intelligent little girl; we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful child!

Sonali also loves talking on the phone and going to the mall with her friends.

We didn't think we would adopt a child, but then Sonali entered our lives via a small photograph the adoption agency sent us, and we were smitten on the spot.  We applied to adopt her; for a while, we thought we would never hear anything or get her; yet when the call came to inform us that we were getting Sonali, we cried with joy!  She then came a year and a half later; she's wrapped herself around our hearts ever since!

Well, I have to go to the school and pick up Benton (he has some sort of bug; he's at the school nurse's office now), so I will run along.  I just pray that Sonali, Avril, or Ellen don't catch what Benton has; we don't need a houseful of sick kids!  Take care and God bless!

~Sincerely, Brenda Kay O'Connor, Davenport, Iowa.