Dear Evelyn,
It is a bit strange to write you a letter considering you are still nestled in your mommy’s womb, but today I felt compelled to reach out. I want to reach out to let you know how much you are already loved. I want you to know how much you are already cared for and appreciated. Your mom and I, along with Gavin and Summer, have prayed for you, talked to you, and sang to you. We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival since we learned of mommy’s pregnancy. We cannot wait to hold you, hear your cry, see your eyes, and feel your touch.
We are obviously excited, but that is not the crux of my writing to you today. I could write line after line of our excitement and deep, deep love for you, but I would rather spend my time preparing you for what you are about to see when you enter this world. I want you to know that, although things seem scary and tough, there is a greatness to this world that you are getting the opportunity to experience.
I should probably start with what you should expect upon leaving your warm cozy home inside your mommy. I don’t want to startle you, but you are going to scream, cry, and shiver. The room you are entering will be temperature controlled, but the shock of your environment change will be enough to make you, even for a brief moment, wish you were back inside your warm home. This will only last a few minutes as we will quickly wrap you up in a blanket and bring that warmth that you so desire. I would note that you will probably see tears in mine and mommy’s eyes. These will not be out of sadness. It is strange, but our bodies and emotions are made in such a way that tears can infer joy and happiness as well. Our tears will be flowing because your arrival is finally here. We have waited with great anticipation and now we finally get to hold you…that is worth a tear or two.
Once the delivery occurs and you make your appearance, the medical staff, will clean you up and pass you to us. This is one of the highlights of the process as we get to simply be present with you. Our minds will be on nothing else except for you and your well-being. There will be times where you may wonder why we are staring at you and smiling. This is not out of disgust or to annoy. This, instead, is out of our awe of you. This is out of our awe for what God has allowed us to be a part of. He, in His loving mercy, allowed your mom and me to participate in the life story. He gave us the incredible opportunity to be your parents.
This brings me to my final point. You may be wondering who this God is. You may be wondering why I would refer to anyone as God or be in awe of the work He does. This would be a great observation from a little baby and obviously points to your vast giftedness (you will notice, too, that parents love to claim that their kids are gifted; it will annoy you, but just hang in there and know that this claim finds its root in love). I brought up God to you because He is the One that authors life. He knew me and your mommy before the first star was in the sky (I will teach you about stars later). He knew we would find each other and get married. God knew that we would struggle to get pregnant for a couple of years. He knew that struggle would pause with the birth of your big brother Gavin (you are going to love him, but be prepared…his voice is always at a level 10). God knew that struggles were still to come when your mommy and I lost one of your other siblings to a miscarriage. I will explain that in more detail at a later date, but just know that this God I am talking about is with us in the bad times as well as the good. This same God then allowed us to give birth to your sister, Summer (you are going to be her best friend as you tackle this world together).
You see, God had a plan from the beginning for the Wood family. We didn’t always agree or understand the plan, but we trusted the process. We trusted God was in control. This brings us to you. God, in His loving grace, decided that the Wood family was incomplete. He decided we needed another little girl. He decided that this little girl, you, would be Evelyn Lois Wood. I will explain your middle name in time with more detail, but just know that it is taken from both of your great grandmothers, Lois Brown and Lois Bailey. These women helped shape your mommy and we were honored to continue their name through you. This blessing from God is not something we will ever take for granted. Our family is blessed to have you in it!
There is so much I want to tell you. I want you to know why the trees have lost their leaves, why it is cold outside, why our dog only has three legs, why I go to work every day, where milk comes from, why we pay taxes, why it rains, why we hurt, why we feel pain, why we laugh, and why we cry. There will be time for all of that…I promise. Right now I just want you to know that you are loved. You are special, not because of anything you, your mommy, or I have done, but because you were knitted together by the Creator of the universe. This same Creator then saw fit to allow us to have you. WOW!
The next few weeks, months, and years are going to be unbelievable as you begin to grow and learn. I cannot wait to see your personality, to hear your voice, and to learn your laugh. You are going to be part of something great and we are excited to see that greatness shine bright as you enter this world. Talk to you soon!!
Because He Lives,
Daddy
posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center
