To Enola, my baby girl...

Hey Baby Girl,

As with all relationships, the best place to start is with introductions...

I'm you Dad. And you are Enola, my daughter.

You should know, first and foremost, you are loved.

I will be writing these letters to you, as my way of being connected with you.

Of sharing that connection with you, in so far as I can, just as I do with your Brother and Sister...

With these letters, I will be speaking to you as I would have if you'd have lived a long, healthy life.

Except one where you have not had the chance to experience the world.

Because as one of your two parents, it would have been my responsibility and joy, to teach you of the world.

To help you navigate the good and the bad.

To understand your place within it.

But more importantly, to understand how to find your own way through it...!

You never got that chance.

But that's no reason for me to not hold up my end!

I will be open with you about my thoughts. My feelings. My joys and my struggles.

I promise to always tell you the truth, no matter how hard that may be.

And to temper that truth with what little wisdom I have gained over the years.

Passing that on to you, as I would all of my children.

You should also know that our situation is by no means one we share alone.

Other families, other parents, other mums and other dads, share what we endure.

So for the purposes of others who may find these letters helpful, the only name I will use will be yours.

In speaking to you, it is also my hope that we together, may help others who share my grief.

Those struggling as I am, to find some measure of balance in their loss.

And to help them too, move forward.

So let's start where our journey together began...

Let's start not with your death. But with your name.

Love you baby girl,

Daddy