Our Sweetest Luke,
This letter is filled with so many emotions. We have spent the day thinking about you and as always, wishing you were with us. We cannot believe it has been eleven months- almost an entire year since we held you close. Last week we had our first Thanksgiving without you and although it was a lovely time with family, there was a giant Luke-shaped hole in our hearts as we gathered together. You were not the only one missing from the table as our beloved Great Uncle Ed and Aunt Jean shared a meal at Uncle Ed's new home called The Sweet Life. Its a nursing home where he moved about a month ago and where your great-grandmother moved only days ago.
Your dad and I also picked out our Christmas tree and have it all decorated. There are several ornaments that are yours that will always have a special place on our tree. It was another bittersweet part of the holiday season for us as last time we did that, you were with us in my belly wiggling around. Its so hard to mark all of these milestones of a year's passing...knowing that the last time we did all of these special things, you were with us for all of them. I cannot help but wonder how cute you would look in some extra cute holiday pjs or discovering the beauty of this season for the first time....there is something so special about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child and my heart aches to miss seeing this year's Christmas through yours.
But like I mentioned at the beginning of this letter, our emotions this year are high. We have been working on learning to navigate the balance of bittersweet. Because not only are we missing you more than ever and longing to have you with us, but we are also elated and figuring out how to breathe and take giant, scary steps forward into the future of our family. While we wish we could tell you in person, we are thrilled to tell you that you are going to be a big brother to a beautiful baby sister in 2011! We are so excited, thankful, terrified and happy for what is ahead. However, at the same time, it begins a whole new cycle of milestones that remind us of you, our beloved firstborn. This season we are so grateful for you, Luke and your sweet baby sister on her way! You guys are our greatest gifts.
Merry Christmas sweet boy! We love you forever!
Your mom and dad xoxo
Congratulations and Rich blessings as you commence a new season of your life. I am glad that the anniversary of Luke's birthday and the arrival of his little sister will create a special bond for your little family as they overlap. My friend Jody Capehart posted about their little granddaughter called Hope and as she was adopted after a failed adoption the name is so precious. And then there is Promise Tangeman who was another gift from God. At 60 I decided to use my middle name of Grace and it is so special to think of the importance of names. My friend Peter has a website for boys haiku (guykuhaiku dot com) and I wrote this I think it fits :
ReplyDeleteHere's a grace moment
Waves of mercy Waves of grace
Jesus says Be still
God Bless and Bless God
So happy for you. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYou are in our prayers. I can see Luke telling Jesus all about you and that he will soon be a big brother. You continue to honor our Lord with your lives.
ReplyDeleteWe are so thrilled for you guys! As you may know, we're rather fond of baby girls... Cheers, blessings, and grace - the deebles
ReplyDeleteSarah & Joe,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a wonderful gift. I am so happy for you. Wishing you all the best! - Molly
As always, you capure life and love so well in your writing. Praying for you as you navigate this new territory. And counting blessings with you as well. Love you both.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! So happy for you both! You continue to be in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteSooooooo excited for you!!! How awesome!! :) Wishing you Grace and Peace through the months ahead!
ReplyDeleteLove, Sarah Unrein