4.18.2007

A Letter To #2

My daughter (and I assure you we'll have a proper name for you in due time):

I have been so focused on the medical condition known as pregnancy and the changes its meant in my life that I fear I have not documented enough thoughts about you, the person. Not you the fetus and how you've affected my bra size or sleep patterns; not you, the proficient cervix pummeler; not you, sister to Thalia.

Yes, you're all these things. But I need you to know that you're more.

You are joy--to those you know and even those you don't. You are going to make strangers forget their missed subway, their bad meeting, their harried days, if only for that brief fleeting few seconds while they catch the eye of the smiling newborn in the stroller. Trust me on this one.

You are wisdom. Through you we will learn and grow and rediscover things about ourselves and the world that we hadn't even thought to consider.

You are laughter. It's your birthright. You can't be born into this family and avoid it. No pressure though; just be you. You'll see.

You are hope. In a world where it's too easy to think what a mess this all is, and how dare we bring children into it, you are joining a family that takes the other view. We believe that you're coming here in part to tip the balance a hair more towards good than evil, more lightness than dark. You're going leave this planet better than it stood when you arrived. Is that asking too much?

But first we have to meet.

I'll be the one with the IV in my arm, the huge smile, and the teary eyes.

See you soon.

-----

The Original Perfect Post Awards – April 2007


40 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

thoughts and prayers are with you....and i'm sure she'll be glad to have this "letter" when she is older.

- Jon
- Daddy Detective
- www.daddydetective.com

4/18/07, 8:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful.

4/18/07, 8:25 AM  
Blogger vegan mum said...

And I'm the one sniffling and teary-eyed at my desk at work after reading this. How beautiful. I've been writing to my soon-to-be-born daughter too. I think it is such a wonderful idea.

Oh, and here are some names that my husband has flat-out rejected for girls. Help yourself:

Paige
Kael (pronounced like the vegetable, but I thought it sounded nice nonetheless)
Charlotte
Madeline
Brooke
Blair

We're going with Avery Brynn.

4/18/07, 8:31 AM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

*sniffle* That was beautiful. And so, so true.

4/18/07, 9:12 AM  
Blogger allison said...

Very sweet. Good luck with the name thing.

4/18/07, 9:21 AM  
Blogger Lawyer Mama said...

Awww. What a sweet post.

4/18/07, 9:35 AM  
Blogger Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Beautiful, Liz. I'm reaching for the tissues and for once it's not this head cold that's making me.

4/18/07, 9:55 AM  
Blogger Magpie said...

Sweet. Good luck, and your baby has a nice mommy. Make that babies.

4/18/07, 9:55 AM  
Blogger Kris said...

Absolute beauty in your words. Thank you for sharing them. She's a lucky little girl.

4/18/07, 10:13 AM  
Blogger Mayberry said...

Awww...speaking of teary eyes... I think we all needed to read something like this today.

4/18/07, 10:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's not like we have much time to think at all with a toddler, but I'm actually MORE emotional thinking about the dlivery of #2 than I was for the little man. Are you? I guess I didn't know what to expect last time. [Don't get me started on thinking about labor...]

4/18/07, 11:15 AM  
Blogger Loukia said...

Brought tears to my eyes!

4/18/07, 11:16 AM  
Blogger BOSSY said...

Sweet love letter.

4/18/07, 11:32 AM  
Blogger S said...

Hey, Liz?

This made me cry.

And I don't cry often.

4/18/07, 11:32 AM  
Blogger ms blue said...

That gave me shivers. The happy awe-inspiring kind.

4/18/07, 11:43 AM  
Blogger Laurie said...

Reading the newspaper today made wonder what I was thinking bringing a child into a world like this (I'm four months pregnant). It was a fleeting thought while I was teary-eyed over all the lost souls but the thought was there. Thank you for making me see this as a choice for hope, not despair.

4/18/07, 11:51 AM  
Blogger S.T. said...

So sweet.

4/18/07, 12:00 PM  
Blogger Motherhood Uncensored said...

She's a lucky girl.

4/18/07, 12:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my. Teary eyes and big smile - that's me too right now.

4/18/07, 12:06 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

oh lord. she is lucky. getting close, Liz! Cannot wait to hear about her arrival!

4/18/07, 12:11 PM  
Blogger roni said...

teary eyed at work too. i'm nearing the end of my 1st trimester with #2 and i feel like i haven't been able to reflect on anything besides how much sicker i am this time around. your blog is wonderful and this letter is just what i needed to ground me as i sit here with my yogurt and crackers...good luck!!!

4/18/07, 12:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your words really hit home. I have a tendancy to get consumed with all the 'issues' behind parenting, my own thoughts, reading other mom's thoughts, etc.

But then you read a post like this-a simple letter to your unborn daughter-and it brings me back to what parenting is all about.

Going to kiss Aiden's little toes right now.

4/18/07, 12:50 PM  
Blogger PunditMom said...

This is so lovely. She will love this when she is older. We're thinking of you as the day draws nearer for "#2" to appear in your life. :)

4/18/07, 12:57 PM  
Blogger Mike Karr said...

Hey, I named soon-to-arrive daughter #2. No stealing.

4/18/07, 1:02 PM  
Blogger J said...

"You are laughter"....this struck me, because I was raised in a family where my sense of humor was so different than that of my family, I didn't even know I had a sense of humor until I was in 5th grade. I was dry, they were really, really not. I didn't think their puns and wordplay were that funny. But now, we all get each other. Here's to you getting your bambino's humor, when she's ready to share it with you. :)

4/18/07, 2:06 PM  
Blogger Kendra said...

I can't believe how much your post touched me. Sometimes I forget that the baby in my belly will be a little angel on earth once he/she is born. I will be attempting a VBAC this summer and eagerly anticipate our first meeting. What you said is so true, a new baby does a little more to balance the scales from evil to angelic.

4/18/07, 2:11 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Aww, that was sweet. Keep it up.

4/18/07, 3:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

aww.. that was sweet.

4/18/07, 3:52 PM  
Blogger Movin Mom said...

your such a smart mommy...most people (like me) didn't realize we forgot to write about the second one until they were at least 6 months.

Thalia and "no-name" are blessed to have you.

few more names from the kids:
Nico said he likes the name Nicole or Paris...;/
typical teen boy huh?
Luke says Maria but that his friend Kiki at school has a new sister named Thalia.
Gianina said Isabella or Giselle
Alex is at track...he'll get back to you.

4/18/07, 5:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see her.

4/18/07, 5:55 PM  
Blogger Ruth Dynamite said...

Yes. She is nothing but joy. Bring on the Joy!

4/18/07, 8:41 PM  
Blogger Dawn said...

I love you Liz and can't wait to welcome another bad ass woman into the world.

4/18/07, 8:58 PM  
Blogger Sarahviz said...

Just a beautiful post. Best wishes!
And my favorite girl name of all time...I had 3 boyz and couldn't use it...is LYDIA.

4/18/07, 9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was beautiful, Liz!

4/18/07, 10:18 PM  
Blogger Damselfly said...

Aw! I want to meet her too. Blessings to you and your family, and here's to a quick and painless labor. ;)

4/18/07, 10:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what a lucky, lucky little girl.

4/19/07, 1:14 AM  
Blogger carrie said...

You are goodness.

All wrapped up in a perfect post.

Carrie

4/19/07, 3:20 AM  
Blogger Mahlers On Safari said...

Baby girl,

Can't wait to meet you, hug you, and welcome you to the world.

4/19/07, 10:20 AM  
Blogger josetteplank.com said...

What I wouldn't give to have had one letter like that from my mom. And your daughters have and will have pages of them.

What smart girls to have chosen you.

:-)

4/20/07, 12:33 AM  
Blogger sweatpantsmom said...

This is beautiful, Liz.

*sniff*

And for obvious reasons, just promise you won't name her "#2."

4/20/07, 7:50 PM  

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