Letter To A Long Lost Child.

I got a text message from your mother this morning- and when I saw your name and your picture I backed away from the computer and cried for two hours. In fact, I'm still crying... My friend was with me, and didn't immediately understand what brought the tears- until I told him the story.
We were so, so young, Deven.
I remember your mom pregnant with you; I remember your baby shower and all of the things that we had for you. You slept on my chest and I put you to bed. I sang you little songs and reveled in your tiny giggle. You had one hell of a grip, and my hair was long at the time so you got more than one handful of my locks, boy.
Your mother was my best friend, and so I was your Auntie Heather.
And I loved you.
I have never, ever forgotten you. Saying goodbye to you was unlike anything I have experienced to date- how do you willingly say goodbye to a child you love and likely will never see again- and process that so young? I know your mother never got over it, and I sure as hell didn't.
Back then, when I still prayed on occasion, I prayed that you were safe- that whoever was graced with your life would see the precious little boy that they had and would raise you to be good, gentle, intelligent, and a smart ass-
Just like we would have, if we could have.
I'll let you read this someday soon, after you get to know your mother again and can face the long line of strangers that want to be a part of your life. I'm only recently better at patience, but I'll wait my turn.
Welcome back, young man.
You can never know how much you've been missed.
Love,
Heather