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October 30, 2002 Dear Rebecca Ruth, Your mom and I had been looking forward to your birthday in only a few days, but now we won't be able to. You were born today, on your Mom's birthday. But you weren't born into this world, but into the World to Come. When we went to the hospital for our weekly peek at you through the ultrasound screen, your heart had stopped beating. How both your mom and I cried. We had been apprehensive about the problems you might face, but we had read and talked and learned everything we could and we thought we were ready for you. While we were on the ride in to the hospital this morning we finally decided on your name, Rebecca Ruth. And so you were born today. Your mom's labor was not very long, and afterward we held you and took pictures of you, the only ones we'll ever have. When we finally let the nurse take you away, we just sat stunned. When I finally came home your brother Patrick and sisters Molly and Althea were both a bit stunned too. Dear child, we were getting ready to take care of you. We were looking forward to being your parents. But perhaps the good Lord needed you to take care of us. It will be your prayers that are unalloyed and pure. Maybe, like the matriarch Rebekah after whom you are named, you will secure an unexpected blessing for us. Love, Dad |
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