December 7, 2011
Bentley Charles Nalley,
It has taken Mom and Dad several days to write this letter. It was only 8 weeks ago that I left my doctor’s appointment thinking labor was going to start, and I would be taking you home with me. I had left my 37 week appointment anxiously awaiting your arrival, only to return a week later to discover that your heart wasn’t beating at our 38 week appointment. It was 8 weeks go that I was planning our 1st Halloween, 1st Thanksgiving, and 1st Christmas as a family. I never imagined that one week later Mom and Dad would be planning your funeral. We’ve got a lifetime of words that we wanted to share with you which makes this letter all the more difficult to write.
We shouldn’t be sitting here writing a letter to you; We should be holding you preparing for our 1st family Christmas. This is now our 3rd holiday without you, Bentley. I can tell you that Christmas has been the hardest. Mom and Dad had already been Christmas shopping for you while preparing for your arrival. There is a box of toys that we already purchased just waiting for you in your nursery. It is beyond the gifts though that makes Christmas so difficult.
Our hearts cringe every time we walk into the shopping stores. Mom and Dad wish that when we walked into the mall that we were headed to get your Christmas pictures, pick a Christmas outfit, or get your pictures taken with Santa. We shop for Christmas ornaments for your tree, and we purchased your stocking to hang on the mantel. Mom and Dad decorated your grave with all types of Christmas decorations. You deserve the best, Bentley. Christmas just isn’t the same without you. Our lives will never be the same again without you.
Our desire to have you here goes far beyond the holiday seasons though. We long for the things that many parents take for granted. We long for late nights with no sleep, the teething moments, the dirty diapers, and the trouble two’s, and the list goes on. Bentley, we wish you were here so that we could hold you tight. You are on our minds every second of every day; I can tell you there isn’t a moment that goes by that mom and dad are not thinking about you. You have changed our lives Bentley. We are blessed to have had you for 38 wonderful weeks.
I praise God every day for you. I am thankful that he gave me you for those 38 weeks. I am thankful for the morning sickness, the little kicks, your beating heart, the moment we discovered you were a boy, and every time your kicked your daddy’s hand. God gave you to us, Bentley. I will never take that for granted. Those moments and the memories that I had preparing for you will never be taken away from your dad and I. We will continue to be your mom and dad. We will continue to include you in our everyday life. We may not have you to hold in our arms, but we are thankful for every moment that I had you in my belly. You brought more joy in our lives in 38 weeks than we have experienced in 24 years of our lives. Mom and Dad loves you Bentley. We always will. I hope you continue to change lives. And, I hope you have a great 1st Christmas in Heaven. We love you always and forever.
Your Mom and Dad
Bentley Charles Nalley,
It has taken Mom and Dad several days to write this letter. It was only 8 weeks ago that I left my doctor’s appointment thinking labor was going to start, and I would be taking you home with me. I had left my 37 week appointment anxiously awaiting your arrival, only to return a week later to discover that your heart wasn’t beating at our 38 week appointment. It was 8 weeks go that I was planning our 1st Halloween, 1st Thanksgiving, and 1st Christmas as a family. I never imagined that one week later Mom and Dad would be planning your funeral. We’ve got a lifetime of words that we wanted to share with you which makes this letter all the more difficult to write.
We shouldn’t be sitting here writing a letter to you; We should be holding you preparing for our 1st family Christmas. This is now our 3rd holiday without you, Bentley. I can tell you that Christmas has been the hardest. Mom and Dad had already been Christmas shopping for you while preparing for your arrival. There is a box of toys that we already purchased just waiting for you in your nursery. It is beyond the gifts though that makes Christmas so difficult.
Our hearts cringe every time we walk into the shopping stores. Mom and Dad wish that when we walked into the mall that we were headed to get your Christmas pictures, pick a Christmas outfit, or get your pictures taken with Santa. We shop for Christmas ornaments for your tree, and we purchased your stocking to hang on the mantel. Mom and Dad decorated your grave with all types of Christmas decorations. You deserve the best, Bentley. Christmas just isn’t the same without you. Our lives will never be the same again without you.
Our desire to have you here goes far beyond the holiday seasons though. We long for the things that many parents take for granted. We long for late nights with no sleep, the teething moments, the dirty diapers, and the trouble two’s, and the list goes on. Bentley, we wish you were here so that we could hold you tight. You are on our minds every second of every day; I can tell you there isn’t a moment that goes by that mom and dad are not thinking about you. You have changed our lives Bentley. We are blessed to have had you for 38 wonderful weeks.
I praise God every day for you. I am thankful that he gave me you for those 38 weeks. I am thankful for the morning sickness, the little kicks, your beating heart, the moment we discovered you were a boy, and every time your kicked your daddy’s hand. God gave you to us, Bentley. I will never take that for granted. Those moments and the memories that I had preparing for you will never be taken away from your dad and I. We will continue to be your mom and dad. We will continue to include you in our everyday life. We may not have you to hold in our arms, but we are thankful for every moment that I had you in my belly. You brought more joy in our lives in 38 weeks than we have experienced in 24 years of our lives. Mom and Dad loves you Bentley. We always will. I hope you continue to change lives. And, I hope you have a great 1st Christmas in Heaven. We love you always and forever.
Your Mom and Dad