If/else statement, setting variable swift 4.0

So I am using an if else statement with a UIGestureRecognizer. Something just isn't clicking on my mind. But I set the node in an if statement and I am trying to use it in the else statement. But it is printing 'nil' so I am pretty sure I am doing something wrong like the scope. Thank for your help.

var node: SCNNode?

        if recognizer.state == .began {
            print("scale began")
            node = sceneView.scene.rootNode.childNode(withName: "aNode", recursively: false)
            print(node?.name)
        }
        else if recognizer.state == .changed {
            print("scale node name change: \(node.name)")

        }