Dear Ayden,
Tomorrow you will have been in the world for an entire month! We took you to the doctor on Friday and found out you have gained a pound and a half since you were born. You really have grown so much! You can now turn and lift you head, and that's about it. Isn't it strange to think about as you read these words that at one point you couldn't even move around on you own? I know it will be strange for me.
Although you cannot physically move by yourself, you have no problem moving the hearts of all who meet you. You've been doing that since long before you were born, and it is a skill you will never lose. My love for you began so long ago that I cannot remember the seed being planted. When I was younger I thought of you, though I didn't know you yet, and the thought of you kept me safe from spiritually dangerous situations. I have written to you often, actually, in my many journals. There are lessons that I recorded specifically for you, my sweet child, and I have no doubt that those experiences will help you greatly throughout your life (whether it's learning from my example or mistakes I cannot say, though it's probably both). That being said, I have written volumes, so I'll have to fish those grains of wheat from the chaff for you.
Ayden, the first thing your mother and I want you to know is that we love you so much. Every time I look at your beautiful face I am reminded of the first time I saw you. You slept through your birth, and refused to cry at first. You had fluid in your lungs, and the nurses worked quickly to get you crying so your lungs would inflate. They worked urgently, but not frantically, so I knew that you would be fine. Tears came to my eyes nevertheless, not because I was scared, but because my heart was so full of love for you. As I looked into your eyes for the first time, I knew that I would do anything and everything to give you a good life.
The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life. So many people were there, anxious and excited to meet you. Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew were standing with Uncle Alex and Aunt Sarah at the nursery window when I carried you into the room. I will never forget the look on their faces! They were so excited to see you, sweetheart. Throughout the night Grandma and Grandpa Atkin, Uncle Austin, Uncle Johnevan, Uncle Camron, Uncle Joe, Aunt Necia and Aunt Anna all came to see you. Uncle Chan and Aunt Courtney couldn't make it that night, but they came to see you as soon as they could.
If ever you have doubts about being loved, I want you to think about all those people who came to meet you. Think about the smiles you put on my parents' faces as you made them grandparents. Think about how brave your mother was to endure months of pain and a major surgery just to bring you into the world. Think about your dad, who remained at a job that drove him crazy to be able to provide for his little family. Think about your ancestors, who left their lives and crossed the plains to give you this wonderful land. And, most importantly, my sweet child, think about your Heavenly Father, who loved you so much that he made you a world, and sent His Son to it to die for your mistakes.
We love you, Ayden Elizabeth Bartholomew. We love you with everything we are. We will likely make mistakes, but we will do everything to give you a wonderful life. That is my promise to you, my dear firstborn.
I love you with all that I am, and I look forward to every day that dawns with me as your father, and you as my daughter.
Sincerely,
Your Grateful Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment