11.

I like to think of this as two 1s pointing straight up to heaven. Your heaven year. Except, well, you've already had 10 of those.

Happy birthday in heaven, sweet love! I am sure you are having quite a celebration with family and friends who have gone before us. That angelic celebration undoubtedly surpasses the bows & balloons we'd have for you here, but, oh, what we would give if we could try! Your mom and dad would cover you with kisses, hug you to pieces and shower you with all your favorites. Your brothers and sister would laugh with you and race you around the house. Your family and friends would sing louder than ever. We'd love with everything we've got.

I wish.

I wish birthday wishes came true.
I wish brain cancer was cured.
I wish a cure for brain cancer were important to people.
I wish it were important enough for more people to help.
I wish more people would work together to make the cure happen.
I wish we had more than one birthday with you.

Many, many more have walked your path to heaven, Kyrie, which leaves so many here in unspeakable pain.

But for today, I'm going to imagine that all of those children who left us too soon are having a ton of fun at your birthday party. We love you, darling child!

until we're together again,
Aunt Megan

The Day the Angels Came

The Day the Angels Came
a grandpa's prayer and poem for Kyrie Dawn

Wednesday, April 4, the day we heard of the explosive growth of the tumors

Alas! O, Lord what is it that I hear?
Is it Your angels coming for our Kyrie Dawn?
O, please Lord, keep them at bay--
If just for one more day.

Thursday, April 5, Holy Thursday

O, Lord, what is this I hear?
Is it that You need another little angel to be near?
O, please Lord, please Lord, don't take our Kyrie dear.
Could You please keep Your angels away,
and we could have her just one more day?

Friday, April 6, Good Friday

O, precious, sweet Jesus, is this the day?
No, no, dear Lord, not today--
This is Your day that You died to save.
Again, please Dear God, let us be selfish
and keep sweet Kyrie another day.

Saturday, April 7, Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

Thank you dear God in heaven
for yet another precious day--
For we all know things will be done your way.
Little Kyrie Dawn is fighting so very hard--
Yesterday she three her ball three times
till her tiny arm got tired.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love entrusts her here,
Ever this day be at her side
To light, to guard, to rule to guide. Amen.

Sunday, April 8, Easter Sunday

Dear God in Heaven, Your angels came last night,
As we all knew that someday they might.
They came around the hour of seven
to take our precious one to her
special place in heaven.
Sweet Jesus, we know that you, too, love the little ones,
so to You we give You our little Kyrie Dawn--
And in the end, it is always Your will that will be done.

Amen.

Love,
Papa

originally published April 7, 2007