Dear Em,
Who could have imagined how suddenly you would arrive in this world? Certainly not us. You chose to come at a moment of chaos, and your mama and dad decided not to inform any of us, which, of course, left us heartbroken. Let me bring you back in time.
There was political unrest in that part of the country, with roads closed and people blocking the transport of goods, including gasoline and food. It was a nightmare. Despite this, your mama and dad decided to visit the doctor for a check-up. Picture this: moving the car was difficult due to the limited gasoline, so you were lucky.
They arrived at the doctor's office, and the same doctor who helped bring your mama into this world was the one checking on you. Then, the action began. Your mama had pre-eclampsia, and they needed to bring you into the world immediately. That night, you saw the light of this world for the first time.
After you were born, your great-grandmother was very upset that your dad hadn't informed her about this. Your granddad and I were far away and caught by the same surprise. Neither your mama nor your father was our favorite person at that moment, as we had planned to be with them to welcome you.
We flew in the following weekend, paying exorbitant airplane ticket prices because everything was three times more expensive due to the situation. When we saw you, we fell in love immediately, as cheesy as it sounds. You were so beautiful, so full of life and hope.
When you left the hospital, we moved into your great-grandmother's home. It is a big house, not the expensive kind, but with open spaces. Your parents and you had a big room, and you slept in a cradle and then in a small bed.
I must admit, I don't miss that time living with your parents. Your dad was selfish, and your mama was adjusting to being a new mom while you were a little one with a strong character! Your grandpa and I traveled back and forth by plane, and when the roads reopened, we traveled by car.
These were very challenging times, Em. Your dad was not easy to deal with. Maybe because he was young, he wasn't keen on helping your mama with you, and that broke my heart even more. I mentioned in my first letter that having a child is not an easy road. It requires resilience, a lot of love, understanding, and patience—all of which your dad lacked (you can tell he wasn't my favorite person). Your mama made the most admirable sacrifices, being there for you despite everything. She suffered from postpartum depression and tried to feed you even when you were rejecting food. She cried many times, worrying about you.
To cheer up your mama, we decided to celebrate you every month. Your first-month celebration was small but full of love and joy, despite the challenges in your parents' relationship. Someone was more in love than the other.
You know, Em, my two cents on this letter: your mama is a warrior. She tried so hard and cried many times, doing her best. Your dad was there, but also not there. Don't get me wrong, he loved you (I like to believe this), but having a baby requires the commitment of two. It's not easy, Em. Your life changes so much. You need someone willing to take care of you, pamper you during pregnancy, share the responsibility of long nights, and understand that it's not just your body that changes, but also your mind and soul. Someone willing to sacrifice a little to provide the best, and who understands the importance of being prepared economically and mentally to give this baby all the love, comfort, and support they need for their whole life.
I shared this letter with your uncle, and he said I didn't acknowledge anything about your dad. But this is my part of the story. He might have his part that you need to read as well. In the end, you'll decide which version you understand better.
Despite everything, when we saw you, I was grateful that your mama didn't terminate the pregnancy. At that moment, your grandpa and I, who love you so much, knew you would always be taken care of by us no matter what the future brings.
Keep reading, Em, this will get better
Love,
Aba