Dear Mama...Love, Henry

One of the grief books I'm reading suggested writing a letter not only to a loved one that has died, but also from that loved one to myself. I've written letters to Henry before, but hadn't thought to write one from him. So...here's what I imagine Henry would write to me (imagining, of course, that he could write...or even speak in complete sentences. But, hey, it's all imagination anyway!)

Dear Mama,

I know how much you miss me. I see you cry when you think no one is watching...I feel the pain that sometimes stabs through your heart. I watch you as you rock in the nursery, clutching one of the several stuffed monsters that remind you of me. I know you want nothing more than to hold me in your arms again.

I wish you didn't hurt so. I wish I could tell you how happy you made me during my time on earth. You and Daddy made me your world...you never made me feel like a nuisance, or that you'd rather be doing something else. You gave me the  best snuggles, Mama, and boy could Daddy could make me giggle! You took me to so many places, and introduced me to so many people. And, most importantly, you showed me nothing but pure love.

I wish you could see me now...free from tubes and wires...free from cancer...free from pain. I play with my brother and sister, and get lots of snuggles from Nana (she's almost as good as snuggler as you are, but no one can quite fill those shoes!!) I miss you, but I'm happy.

You and Daddy make me so proud. I see how much you're hurting, but that doesn't stop you from doing good things. You bring awareness to the world through our story...you're honest and real, and that resonates with people. So thank you...for loving me, for sharing me and my story with the world, and for never forgetting me. I love you so very much, and I wait as patiently as I can for the day I will once again feel your arms around me.

Love,
Henry