Cousins

This afternoon my husband and I read together three letters written to Elijah. These letters were very sweet and brought tears to our eyes. They also brought a smile to our face, even a couple giggles.

These three letters written to our sweet baby Elijah are from our nephews Dylan (age 14), Austin (age 12), and Ben (age 9). They were so sweet, I couldn't help but share them.

Dylan's letter:
"Dear Elijah,
My name is Dylan. I'm your oldest cousin. So basically what this letter is is to let you know what we would have done together and such. The first thing I would have taught to do is to be an All-American Quarterback (with help from your dad). The second thing I would've taught you is how to swing like Joe Mauer and throw like Joe Nathan. We would have went to a lot of Twins games granted how expensive they are. We would have found a way. We all love you and miss you. Love, Dylan."

Austin's letter:
"Dear Elijah,
It would have been awesome to have you as a cousin. To hang out and play sports and stuff. To watch you grow up to be whatever you wanted to be. You would've been really smart just like your parents. Sincerely, Austin"

Ben's letter:
"Sorry you only lived for two hours and I didn't get to see you but I saw pictures of you. You look so cute in the pictures. It's sad that you didn't get to live for a long time, but you still got to see Ryan and Shelby. Hope you have a good time up there."

Reading these letters make me think of what our son Paighton would have written or said about Elijah, if he were old enough to talk or write of course. Paighton would have been a really good big brother, just as our nephews are with each other. Brothers by chance; best friends by choice.

Just today Paighton pulled out from the bottom of his toy box a baby doll we got him when we found out we were pregnant with Elijah. I thought it would have been a good way to introduce him to babies. It was. He is always so concerned of the baby doll. He makes sure she gets lots of kisses and feeds her food from a kitchen set that was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. He holds her and pokes his finger at her mouth, then kisses, then squeezes a hug, then more kisses. The kisses never end. Sometimes I get a little jealous of this plastic doll. I want these kisses he is giving out so freely! It melts my heart to see how well he is with babies, both plastic and real. It brings me comfort, and a little sadness, knowing he would have been a great big brother and a big helper.

I wonder what is to come of our future as a family. Will he ever get to be a big brother?

Brothers by chance; best friends by choice...