This one's for you, Henry

Henry,

There is just no way to say how this feels waiting for your surgery tomorrow.  It is impossible to wrap my mind around the fact that a baby that is so cute and perfectly formed on the outside has so much going on in that little body of yours.  For all that needs repaired in that heart of yours, we know you aren't short on strength.  And we're going to need a good show of that tomorrow.  The good news is: the sooner this surgery is done, the sooner you start recovering, and the sooner you get to go home!

This is my main prayer, that your exactly one week old self will be prepared for all the doctors are going to do tomorrow.  Right up there on my prayer list is that God will be there in that operating room, guiding the surgeons' hands steadily and skillfully.  And for your parents: if it is this tough being your aunt watching you go through this, there is just no comprehension of what it is like to be your mom & dad right now.  There are no words to be said to them to provide comfort: I am certain the comfort and peace they need can only come from God and I pray he provides that for them. 

Before I start crying, let's move on to a lighter subject.  A funny story about the picture of you above.  Because you were having the heart cath today, they had to stop feeding you late last night to prepare you for the procedure.  Your mom & dad were able to see you before the doctors took you into the surgical room this morning.  The report was: a hungry, hungry Henry.  And cranky too.  Pulling at your nose hose, fussing around.  Mom put her hand up by you, and you grabbed her hand, shoved it in your mouth, and started sucking on her finger...like you could get milk out of there!  Oh, the anatomy lessons you have to learn.  I suspect you have a few great uncles that would like the first crack at teaching you these life lessons.  I hope your mom doesn't let them! 

Alright, enough for now.  Love you little guy.

Aunt Kelli