You are one-of-a-kind! Miraculous things are happening to you:

-We can tell if you are a boy or girl (but we’ll keep that a surprise until you are born)

-Your fingernails are developed

-Your organs are starting to become more specialized

-Most exciting of all, you have discovered your sense of touch and enjoy feeling your face with your tiny hands.

– You are a tiny little thing, about 7.5 inches long, but so obviously the unique human being that is going to change the world.

Out here in the big, big world people are busy going about their daily business. We are working to pay the bills; arguing about which man should become the next leader of our country; deciding if we should go see a new movie Friday night; and sometimes feeling sorry for the people dying of starvation in Africa.  If we would stop to breathe sometimes we might notice that little miracles are happening every day.

There is a hint of fall crisp in the air; in some places the leaves are starting to change color (you’ll learn about that in school); puppies are learning new tricks; and butterflies float delicately from flower to flower in states that never get cold (you’ll learn about the caterpillar miracle in school too). I can’t wait to carve pumpkins with you, introduce mashed potatoes to you at Thanksgiving, and see your eyes grow wide when you see Christmas lights for the first time.

Yes, a big, big world is waiting to meet you. There are many good people out here – people who want to save the baby seals from being taken away from the mamas and used for coats; people who want to save the national parks from being used for oil drilling; people who want to make sure that everyone can go to a doctor; and people who don’t want taxes to go any higher. I have tried to tell them about you, because if they knew you I am sure they would fight for you.

I’ve never met you, Little Baby, but I already love you…and miss you,

WordVessel

(This letter was written to a baby who is scheduled to die tomorrow, October 15th, 2012)