Dear Daughter

To my dear daughter,

Today you went to be with our Lord Jesus at 6.30am. I did not get to see you, but daddy did. You came out very quickly in one push, maybe it was because you were so small. Daddy says you were the size of his palm.

Daddy named you Faith, because you taught us to hold on to our own faith in times like this. You also taught me to be joyful in the midst of trials. Just like I've seen you being joyful despite your condition.

Doctors say you have (had) Anencephaly. A condition that is not compatible with life. Your skull cap and forebrains were not developed well, and thus your chances of living with us after your birth was literally zilch. Daddy and I had a hard time coming to terms with your condition and your prognosis. Your brother, on the other hand, is too young to understand what happened to his little sister. Daddy and I considered carrying you to full term, but that would mean putting you through unecessary pain, which I don't think I would be able to stomach. Daddy was devastated. Doctors advised us that you needed to go. I agreed, not because the doctors said so. I agreed, because the Lord was calling you home. He must have had His reasons for placing you here and taking you away.

Emotional support we got were from your uncles and aunties and friends from church. At times, you gave me some emotional support too.

I hope you enjoyed that short period of time where we read the book of Psalms together. Your brother couldn't sit still to listen. But you, you stayed absolutely still, listening to me read the Psalms to you. It was fun, albeit only a couple of days. I hope you also enjoyed that lovely bar of chocolate we shared together last Thursday afternoon. I thought it was fun sharing that with you.

(The nurse had just come over to give me my medications. )

If you were here today, I believe the main difference between you and your brother, would be he was the lively energetic sort, and you were the quiet, resilient type. Ha! Totally like daddy and me.

I just want you to know we miss you dearly and we are looking forward to be reunited in God's arms when we are done with our ministry here.


With lots of love, hugs and kisses,
Mummy, Daddy & your big brother.