Cassandra’s foster mother once told me that all children have a birthing story. With each parent–biological, foster, adoptive.

I held onto her words when things were hard with M and C. They often were. so much so that I doubted myself until the day I met you–September 22nd, 1997. You were only a couple weeks old–tiny and perfect–and I loved the feeling of complete safety in the NICU.

They trained me in infant CPR and how to use your apnea monitor. Then I took you home. From the moment I met you I loved you. Perfect and wonderful and entirely lovable.

So grateful for you, no matter how unbearable it would be later to lose you.